Orqa Initiates FPV Training Integration for Croatian Armed Forces

Key Intelligence

• Orqa certified 17 Croatian Army instructors in comprehensive FPV drone operations at the Gašinci range.
• Curriculum spans simulation, hardware assembly, radio communications, and tactical strike mission profiles.
• Strategic move toward indigenous sovereign capability reduces Croatian reliance on external defense supply chains.

3 minute read

The recent instructional cycle conducted by Orqa at the Gašinci military range represents a pivotal shift in Eastern European defense posture, signaling the formalization of FPV drone tactics within the Croatian Army’s institutional memory. By training 17 senior boot camp instructors, the program creates a force-multiplier effect designed to permeate the entire recruit training infrastructure. This initiative addresses the urgent European requirement for decentralized organic aerial reconnaissance and loitering munition capability at the squad and platoon levels. The curriculum’s progression—moving from high-fidelity simulators to hardware assembly and radio communication—mirrors the lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where technical self-sufficiency in the field is as critical as piloting skill.

For the European defense industrial base, Orqa’s involvement highlights the rising importance of sovereign 'dual-use' champions that can bridge the gap between commercial innovation and military ruggedization. The Croatian model demonstrates a strategic preference for domestic expertise over foreign dependence, a trend gaining momentum across the EU as member states seek to secure their supply chains against global disruptions. The focus on 'train the trainer' suggests that the Croatian Ministry of Defense is not merely purchasing hardware but is investing in a long-term doctrine where drone proficiency is treated as a fundamental soldier skill, equivalent to marksmanship or basic fieldcraft.

Furthermore, the inclusion of strike mission profiles and reconnaissance fundamentals in the syllabus indicates a move toward offensive-defensive integration. As European defense officials look to update their own procurement strategies, the Orqa-Croatia partnership serves as a blueprint for rapid tactical adaptation. The transition from simulation to live-flight at Gašinci underscores the maturity of the FPV ecosystem, moving beyond hobbyist roots into a disciplined military discipline that demands rigorous standards in radio frequency management and situational awareness. This development will likely accelerate similar indigenous programs across the Baltic and Balkan regions, further fragmenting the traditional reliance on large-scale, high-cost aerospace primes for tactical-level solutions.

Source: Orqa Official Statement