General Tihomir Kundid Assumes Post of Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces at Solemn Ceremony, Swears to Honourable and Dedicated Service
Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid has assumed the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces at a change of command ceremony that was also attended by the President of the Republic and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces Zoran Milanović.
“Mr. President of the Republic of Croatia and Commander in Chief of the Croatian Armed Forces, I swear that I will honourably and dedicatedly serve as the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, that I will proudly wear this banner for the benefit of the Homeland and the Croatian Armed Forces,” General Kundid told those present, thereby assuming the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces from Admiral Robert Hranj at a solemn ceremony. The change of command ceremony for the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces took place at the Croatian Army Centre “Zvonimir.”
Ahead of the change of command ceremony, President Milanović decorated the outgoing Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj with the Grand Order of King Petar Krešimir IV with Sash and Star, for extraordinary contributions to the creation of war strategy and military doctrine, for services in the establishment of the Croatian Armed Forces, and for outstanding successes in the leadership and command of units of the Croatian Armed Forces.
“This is the most significant moment in my military career. For me, assuming the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces is a special honour, a great challenge, but an even greater responsibility. All my knowledge, skills and experience will be focused on processes that are of vital importance to the Armed Forces. The level of ambition of the Armed Forces must primarily regard the development of the ability to defend the national territory, and then the fulfilment of the requirements arising from NATO Alliance membership obligations,” said the new Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid, adding that focus should be placed on the operationalization of capability goals.
“The Armed Forces are currently in a phase of significant modernization and equipping, and this must be an absolute priority in the future as it has a direct implication on the readiness of the Armed Forces. Dedication to training and development capacity is the basis of the development of a strong and well-trained Croatian Army,” said General Kundid.
In the context of contributions to international security, he said that the units of the Croatian Army participate in various international military operations, missions and tasks. “We must continue to make our contribution according to our capabilities,” General Kundid concluded.
Speaking about the new Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, Admiral Robert Hranj described him as a professional, educated and experienced officer with experience in the Homeland War. “General Kundid has a big task ahead of him, and in order for him to succeed, you must support him. Therefore, I call on all of you to give him your full support in modernizing and equipping the Armed Forces, because we can only succeed together,” Admiral Hranj said.
The President of the Republic has appointed Lieutenant General Tihomir Kundid to the post of Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces effective 1 March 2024, based on the proposal of the Government of the Republic of Croatia and after obtaining the opinion of the Defence Committee of the Croatian Parliament.
The change of command ceremony was also attended by the delegate of the Croatian Government, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Ivan Anušić, delegate of the Speaker of the Croatian Parliament MP Ante Deur, Military Chaplain in the Republic of Croatia Jure Bogdan, members of the Military Ordinariate in the Republic of Croatia, Chairman of the Parliamentary Defence Committee Franko Vidović and numerous other guests, including former ministers of defence, former Chiefs of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces, members of the Parliamentary Defence Committee, generals and diplomats.
President Milanović was accompanied by the Head of the Office of the President of the Republic Orsat Miljenić, Adviser to the President of the Republic for National Security Dragan Lozančić, Special Adviser to the President of the Republic for Homeland War Veterans Marijan Mareković, Head of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defence and National Security of the Office of the President Ivica Kranjčević, Aide-de-Camp to the President of the Republic Vlado Čulina, Staff Officer for Operations Support of the Military Office in the Cabinet for Defence and National Security of the Office of the President Lieutenant Colonel Siniša Marić, and Staff NCO for IT Support Sergeant Major Hrvoje Krajačić.
PHOTO: Office of the President of the Republic of Croatia / Tomislav Bušljeta