Media reports speaking of an "alarming" situation in the armed forces and their being in "nearly complete disarray" drew undivided condemnation in Parliament.
Deputies drew attention to a shortage of plans for the development of the armed forces, saying that without such plans it was impossible to modernise the armed forces.
Jozo Rados of the Libra party said that this year's budget provided less funds for the military than the 2003 budget, which in his opinion meant that the defence reform would be discontinued.
Kresimir Cosic of the ruling Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) dismissed as inappropriate media reports speaking of the instability of neighbouring countries and of risks of joining NATO.