A Quasi-Arms Race: Serbia and Croatia
A Quasi-Arms Race: Serbia and Croatia

Author(s): Marija Ignjatijević, Vuk Vuksanović
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, Civil Society, International relations/trade, Security and defense, Military policy, Inter-Ethnic Relations, Geopolitics
Published by: BCBP Beogradski centar za bezbednosnu politiku
Keywords: arms race; Serbia and Croatia; Arms Procurement; Serbia-Croatia Relations; Military Modernization; Regional Mistrust
Summary/Abstract: In the last six years, Serbia and Croatia have been upgrading their military arsenals, leading to the conclusion that the two countries are spearheading a new arms race in the Western Balkans. This narrative is misleading as the strategic environment makes inter-state war unlikely and the process is actually about Serbia and Croatia replacing old equipment from the Yugoslav days. However, the two countries use arms procurement as leverage in their respective foreign policies and tools of domestic promotion for their rulling elites. The return of hostility is highly unlikely, but there is a political threat of cementing an atmosphere of mistrust in the region.

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