CROATIAN STATEHOOD DAY ARMED FORCES PARADE (END)

ZAGREB, May 30 (Hina) - After the water echelon, a mechanised echelon drove past the platform of honour. While the mechanised echelon was driving past, an air echelon demonstrated the MIG 21-bis fighter jets (12 craft), Mi-6 transport helicopers (six craft) and Mi-24 fighter copters (eight craft). The mechanised echelon included military police and Ministry of the Interior special units, as well as liaison, engeneering, anti-aircraft, rocket, anti-armoured, armoured and logistic sub- echelons. The public was shown the achievements of the Croatian military industry. A sub-echelon of the Guard Motor Battalion demonstrated light 70-mm multiple rocket launchers, which are assembly-line manufactured in Croatia, 128-mm multiple rocket launchers of the RAK-12 type, also manufactured in Croatia, and 120-mm mortars. A long-range rocket sub-echelon demonstrated a self-propelling rocket system of the S-10 CRO type, manufactured in Croatia, and other rocket systems in the possession of Croatian armed forces. The S-300 anti-rocket and anti-aircraft system attracted particular attention. This system is considered as the most modern of its kind in the world. It can destroy enemy aircraft and rocket at great distances. Also displayed was a H-122 howitzer, manufactured in Croatia, as well as domestic rocket launchers of the types "GRAD" ("hail"), TAJFUN (typhoon), "VULKAN" ("volcano") and "GROM" ("thunder"), and one surface-to-surface missile. A navy echelon showed MOL anti-ship rockets, manufactured in Croatia. The last to march by was an armoured battalion sub-echelon, with M-84 tanks manufactured in Croatia, which have been used throughout the Liberation War and are considered as raking with the best state-of-the-art fighting tanks. The parade was closed by parachutists who jumped from two AN-2 transport jets. One of the parachutists jumped right in front of the platform of honour, holding to a Croatian flag, and was greeted with a roar of applause. About 3,700 men took part in the parade, which involved 220 fighting and non-fighting vehicles and about forty aircraft and copters. The parade has shown that Croatian armed forces have reached a degree of development that guarantees efficient defence. (hina) jn as 302153 MET may 95