CROATIA'S ADMIRAL ROBERT HRANJ (RETD) TO SERVE ON DEFENCE SYSTEMS GLOBAL ADVISORY BOARD

Former Chief of Defence of the Croatian Armed Forces joins 18-member Global Advisory Board to shape future intelligent and autonomous systems

CROATIA, October 26, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Admiral Robert Hranj (Retd) has been selected to serve on the Global Advisory Board of the Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit (IADSS), joining an international group of 18 military, strategic, academic and technology experts from 13 countries.

With more than four decades of military experience, Admiral Hranj brings extensive leadership experience across operational command, defence policy, NATO integration, force development and strategic military planning.

Throughout his career, he served in some of Croatia’s most senior military leadership positions, including Commander of the Croatian Navy, Chief of Staff and Chief of Defence of the Croatian Armed Forces. A surface warfare officer with combat experience, he was also exposed early in his operational career to unmanned maritime and air systems, providing him with an early understanding of how emerging technologies can challenge established operational concepts and reshape the conduct of warfare.

His current work focuses on the strategic and operational implications of intelligent, autonomous and unmanned systems, particularly their impact on operational concepts, doctrine, force design, command and control, capability requirements and defence investment priorities.

His combination of senior military leadership, operational experience and strategic insight brings significant value to the IADSS Global Advisory Board.

Admiral Robert Hranj: "After 43 years of military service, I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the work of the IADSS Global Advisory Board. Rapid technological change is transforming not only military capabilities, but the way armed forces must think, organise, innovate and adapt. Intelligent, autonomous and unmanned systems offer enormous opportunities, but their development must go hand in hand with responsible governance,
human accountability and sound operational concepts. Smaller countries cannot compete with major powers in the scale of technological investment, but they can contribute through agility, innovation and the ability to identify areas in which they can make a difference. I intend to bring that perspective to the Board."

His appointment comes at a time when intelligent, autonomous and connected capabilities are rapidly reshaping defence, while questions around governance, accountability and human supervision are becoming equally important.

With responsible governance and human control receiving growing international attention, the United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross have renewed their call for States to act on autonomous weapon systems, highlighting the need for human control, accountability and appropriate international frameworks.

These developments underline the importance of continued international dialogue, knowledge exchange and shared understanding.

Through its Global Summit Series, hosted across multiple countries, IADSS will bring together governments, armed forces, policymakers, defence experts, research institutions and industry to exchange knowledge, share experiences, learn from past challenges and explore the opportunities and challenges presented by emerging defence technologies.

IADSS does not seek to establish rules or policies, but rather to provide an international forum for open dialogue, exchange of perspectives and greater understanding across the global defence community.

The IADSS Global Advisory Board supports this mission by bringing together independent military, strategic, academic and technology expertise.

Beyond the Summit Series, the IADSS Network and Directory will extend engagement throughout the year, connecting defence expertise, institutions, technologies and opportunities across the international defence community.

ABOUT IADSS

The Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit (IADSS) is a global summit series organised across strategic regions, bringing together governments, armed forces, policymakers, academia, research institutions and industry to examine the development, operational integration and responsible advancement of intelligent and autonomous defence capabilities.

At the heart of IADSS is a clear principle:

Defence innovation must advance alongside responsible governance.

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Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit (IADSS)
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