During a visit today to Vukovar with the Royal College of Defence Studies, it was a solemn honour to pay our respects at the memorial to those killed at Ovčara. #RCDS2025🇬🇧&🇭🇷

I was delighted to host members of the Royal College of Defence Studies last night on the Croatia leg of their study visit to South East Europe. The brightest and best future military leaders from all around the world - and a fantastic group.

A fascinating perspective for #RCDS2025 South East Europe Study Tour. Thank you Simon Thomas and our hosts UK in Croatia 🇬🇧 🇭🇷 Defence Academy

A poignant moment of reflection for our #RCDS2025 South East Europe study tour. UK in Croatia 🇬🇧 🇭🇷 Defence Academy

Our #RCDS2025 SE Europe study tour continued in Croatia, beginning in #Osijek and #Vukovar to ground the visit in the tragedies of the 1990s. Insights from YPGD, #PRONI, and the Deputy Mayor provided valuable contemporary context. Defence Academy UK in Croatia 🇬🇧 🇭🇷

Next for the #RCDS2025 SE Europe study tour was the Croatian Government perspective. Valuable insights into historical diplomatic events from Neven Pelicarić Ured predsjednika RH, and strategic challenges from MORH/MoD Croatia, greatly enriched the group’s understanding. Defence Academy UK in Croatia 🇬🇧 🇭🇷

After a delay to the #RCDS2025 study tour of South Asia, our Members got their tour underway in Bangladesh. UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 Defence Academy

Our #RCDS2025 study tour of South Asia started with excellent briefs from UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 and Democracy International. Defence Academy.

Day 2 of our #RCDS2025 South Asia study tour was military day, with visits to Bangladesh Navy, Bangladesh Army, Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, Bangladesh Air Force. UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 Defence Academy.

Day 2 of our #RCDS2025 South Asia study tour shifted to business, with briefs provided by UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, World Bank and BRAC . Defence Academy

Day 4 of our #RCDS2025 South Asia study tour mixed academia with the national sport of Bangladesh - cricket. BIMRAD, bipss.org.bd, Bangladesh Cricket, Defence Academy.

3/3 And more #cricket …… Bangladesh Cricket UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 Defence Academy #RCDS2025

2/3 More #cricket …… Bangladesh Cricket UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 Defence Academy #RCDS2025

1/3 Our #RCDS2025 South Asia study tour were left in no doubt about the importance of #cricket in #Bangladesh ….. Bangladesh Cricket UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 Defence Academy

The final day in #Bangladesh for our #RCDS2025 South Asia study tour involved a visit to British Council Bangladesh, where they spoke to members of University of Dhaka. UK in Bangladesh 🇬🇧🇧🇩 Defence Academy.

The #RCDS2025 SouthAsia study tour was welcomed to #SriLanka by UK in Sri Lanka 🇬🇧🇱🇰. Panels on foreign relations, economy & trade provided a valuable base for analysis while a visit of #portofcolombo gave tangible testimony to the importance of maritime trade. Andrew Patrick Defence Academy

Very grateful for many interactions of our #RCDS2025 South Asia study tour in #SriLanka - think tanks, Deputy Ministers of Foreign Affairs & Defence, service chiefs of the Armed Forces, & other senior leaders, academics & #RCDS alumni at UK in Sri Lanka 🇬🇧🇱🇰. #INSS Defence Academy

Exciting autonomous technology initiatives were presented to the #RCDS2025 SE Europe study tour by DOK-ING. Our future strategic military leaders from 12 countries across 4 continents explored potential for de-mining and other critical high-risk tasks. UK in Croatia 🇬🇧 🇭🇷 Defence Academy

The #RCDS25 SE Europe tour concluded with a brilliant capability demonstration by the Croatian Navy. Hvala MORH/MoD Croatia for hosting, and to Simon Thomas and UK in Croatia 🇬🇧 🇭🇷 . Defence Academy

A remarkable visit to #SriLanka Navy #SouthernCommand drew to a close an amazing #SouthAsia #RCDS2025 study tour of a region between challenge & opportunity, competition & cooperation. Thanks again to all the hosts & UK in Sri Lanka 🇬🇧🇱🇰 for their hospitality. UK in Sri Lanka 🇬🇧🇱🇰 Defence Academy