The United States is investing $1 million in support of Croatia as it safely disposes of its remaining inventory of 71 out-of-date man-portable air defense systems (MANPADS) and improves the physical security and stockpile management of its arms and munitions depots.

The Bureau of Political-Military Affairs’ Office of Weapons Removal and Abatement, which leads U.S. efforts for conventional weapons destruction programs worldwide, will work closely with Croatia’s Ministry of Defense and the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb to ensure the safe and complete destruction of the MANPADS.

In the wrong hands, these shoulder-fired antiaircraft missiles pose a serious threat to civilian aviation. Previous U.S.-Croatia initiatives have resulted in the destruction of 929 of its excess MANPADS. Under this recently concluded agreement, Croatia plans to dispose of up to 17,000 tons of surplus munitions.

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