Father of Croatian drones: 'In Ogulin we followed Storm as they do today in the Oval Office'

The father of Croatia’s drones has spoken publicly for the first time since the start of the war in Ukraine, revealing how his country once pioneered the use of unmanned aerial systems long before they became a central part of modern warfare. Speaking from Ogulin, he described how Croatian forces monitored Oluj, a reference to the 1991 Operation Storm, just as today's Ukrainian military uses drones to strike deep into Russian territory. His remarks highlight both the historical significance of Croatia’s early drone development and its relevance to current global conflicts. According to reports, over the course of the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces have conducted more than 1,289 successful deep strikes using drones, with each attack targeting locations at least 100 kilometers away from the front lines. These attacks have included strikes on what Ukrainian officials describe as a “Russian Amazon” warehouse, which they claim stores both civilian goods and military equipment. The incident sparked controversy when several people, including three children, were killed after parts of a drone fell onto swimmers at a beach near the Black Sea coast. Russian authorities initially claimed the wreckage was from a Ukrainian drone, though the exact circumstances remain unclear. Croatia, however, has a long history with drone technology. In 1991, during the Yugoslav Wars, the country secretly developed its own drone system, becoming one of the first nations in the world to do so. These early models, known as "Fix Wing" aircraft, were primarily used for reconnaissance rather than combat. They were modified versions of civilian aircraft, gradually upgraded through trial and error. At the time, these drones had limited range, initially around 1,500 meters, and were rarely used beyond 60 to 120 kilometers from their launch sites. Their primary function was to gather intelligence, not to engage in direct combat. The father of Croatia’s drones, Milivoj Hucaljuk, a former commander of the unit responsible for unmanned aerial vehicles, recalled the challenges faced during this period. He noted that while the concept of using drones for surveillance was ahead of its time, the scale of production and deployment remained modest compared to what is now possible. “We were visionaries,” he said, acknowledging that the idea of mass-producing such systems was far beyond the capabilities of the era. “But we dreamed of it.” Despite the limitations, the early Croatian drone program laid the groundwork for future advancements. The team focused on improving key components, particularly the video transmission systems, which were critical for extending operational range. Over time, the drones became more reliable and capable, allowing them to operate further from their base locations. This evolution mirrored the trajectory of drone technology globally, where initial applications were largely non-combat-related, and only later did they become integral to military operations. Today, the proliferation of drone technology has reached unprecedented levels. Ukraine alone plans to produce four million drones this year, while the United States will manufacture just 200,000. This disparity underscores a shift in modern warfare toward affordable, disposable drone systems that can be deployed in large numbers. The implications for future conflict are clear: the battlefield is increasingly defined by the ability to control the skies, not through traditional airpower, but through swarms of small, autonomous flying machines. As the war in Ukraine continues to reshape the landscape of modern warfare, the legacy of Croatia’s early drone efforts serves as a reminder of how technological innovation often begins in secrecy and evolves slowly over time. The father of Croatia’s drones, speaking from a place of quiet pride, reflects on a past that once seemed distant but now feels eerily familiar.