Admiral Robert Hranj joins IADSS Global Advisory Board

Former Croatian Chief of Defence Admiral Robert Hranj (Retd) has been appointed to the 18-member Global Advisory Board of the Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit. The move adds senior NATO and operational experience as the summit expands its focus on intelligent, autonomous and unmanned systems, governance and human control.

Why it matters: - Admiral Robert Hranj’s appointment adds senior military leadership to the advisory group shaping discussion around autonomous and intelligent defence systems. - The role comes as defence leaders and international organizations place greater emphasis on human accountability, governance and command control for autonomous weapon systems. - The advisory board is designed to support an international forum on how emerging defence technologies change operations, doctrine and investment priorities.

What happened: - Admiral Robert Hranj (Retd) was selected to serve on the Global Advisory Board of the Intelligent & Autonomous Defence Systems Summit (IADSS). - The board includes 18 military, strategic, academic and technology experts from 13 countries. - Hranj is a former Chief of Defence of the Croatian Armed Forces. - The announcement was made by IADSS on October 26, 2026.

The details: - Hranj’s career spans more than four decades of military service. - He previously served as Commander of the Croatian Navy, Chief of Staff and Chief of Defence of the Croatian Armed Forces. - Hranj is a surface warfare officer with combat experience. - Early in his career, he was exposed to unmanned maritime and air systems. - His current focus is the strategic and operational impact of intelligent, autonomous and unmanned systems. - That work includes their effect on operational concepts, doctrine, force design, command and control, capability requirements and defence investment priorities. - Hranj said rapid technological change is transforming how armed forces think, organize, innovate and adapt. - Hranj said smaller countries cannot match major powers in scale of technological investment, but can contribute through agility and innovation. - IADSS said his mix of leadership, operational experience and strategic insight brings value to the board. - The United Nations Secretary-General and the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross have renewed calls for states to act on autonomous weapon systems, stressing human control, accountability and international frameworks.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals that IADSS is trying to position itself as a convening platform for high-level defence dialogue rather than a policy-making body. - The summit’s emphasis on governance reflects a growing tension in defence tech: faster autonomy on one side, and tighter oversight on the other. - Hranj’s background suggests IADSS wants practical operational perspective, not just technical expertise.

What's next: - IADSS plans to use its Global Summit Series, hosted across multiple countries, to bring together governments, armed forces, policymakers, defence experts, research institutions and industry. - The summit series will focus on knowledge exchange, past lessons and the opportunities and challenges of emerging defence technologies. - IADSS says it does not seek to establish rules or policies, but to create an international forum for open dialogue and greater understanding. - The IADSS Network and Directory will extend engagement year-round by connecting defence expertise, institutions, technologies and opportunities across the international defence community. - More information is available through the summit website.

The bottom line: - Hranj’s appointment gives IADSS a senior Croatian military voice as the summit seeks to shape global discussion on autonomous defence systems and responsible governance.