Croatia is moving forward with plans to purchase two corvettes in a deal valued between 660 million euros ($768 million) and 1.6 billion euros ($1.86 billion), according to defense officials.
The ships would represent the largest platforms in the Croatian Navy’s inventory, significantly expanding a fleet currently made up of five missile boats and six patrol vessels.
The Ministry of Defence has engaged up to 12 shipyards across eight countries that passed preliminary screening to compete for the contract.
Potential builders include firms from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, South Korea, Turkey, Spain, and the United States, with notable contenders such as Fincantieri, Damen, Lürssen, and Hyundai Heavy Industries.
Competing designs span a wide range, including Turkey’s affordable MİLGEM ADA-class corvette, South Korea’s heavier light frigate, France’s Gowind-class, Germany’s K-130, Italy’s EPC and Al Zubarah variants, the Netherlands’ Sigma-class, Spain’s Avante 2200, and the US Littoral Combat Ship.
Depending on the selected configuration, the new warships would displace between 1,000 and 3,500 tons and measure roughly 80 to 120 meters in length, allowing flexibility in mission systems and capabilities.
