Croatia has recorded a 52% decrease in illegal border crossings so far this year, confirmed Minister of the Interior Davor Božinović during an official visit by Joachim Herrmann, Bavaria’s Minister of the Interior, Sports and Integration, reports HRT

The two ministers visited the Cetingrad Border Police Station before attending a tactical and technical police demonstration in Buhača, highlighting the high level of surveillance and technology now deployed along Croatia’s external EU border with Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Minister Božinović emphasized that every metre of the border is now under control, thanks to advanced monitoring technology — including aerial surveillance vehicles that serve as the “brains” of the border protection system.

“We conduct complete control over aerial vehicles. When illegal activity is detected, we receive coordinates from the pilot, which are then relayed to field commanders who deploy border units directly to the site,” explained Davor Pazman from the Intervention Command.

The integration of drones and unmanned aerial systems has dramatically increased the efficiency of Croatia’s border patrols, making illegal crossings “almost impossible,” according to officers on the ground.

“If it’s night and we have indications of movement, we can launch a drone within five minutes and begin searching for the person,” said Nikola Radočaj, a border protection officer.

Fixed-wing drones can scan several hundred square kilometres and remain airborne for up to 12 hours, offering continuous surveillance capability across challenging terrain.

Croatia’s deployment of cutting-edge technology — including drones, thermal imaging, and aerial reconnaissance — reflects its role as a key external border of the European Union and its commitment to strengthening security and cooperation with EU partners such as Germany’s Bavaria.