Zagreb, Croatia

2 - 6 October 2023

NCT PRO Outline

In this special edition of NCT PRO Challenge, teams will engage in CBRNe, EOD, and C-IED scenarios with a focus on special forces in a CBRN and IED environment. This tactical event, taking place in Croatia during the week of 2-6 October 2023 and will be hosted in partnership with the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit Lucko- the Croatian national SOF police unit and the ATLAS Network of police special forces in Europe.

During five days, teams from all over Europe will train on different scenarios, with multiple missions leading up to a showdown in Zagreb on day five. Each scenario includes different missions that need to be completed with different teams to achieve the objectives. The mission sets below give a glimpse of the missions the teams will complete.

Mission set at NCT PRO Challenge 2022

Intelligence has led to a suspected drug laboratory and an Intelligence gathering mission is planned (Scenario 1, mission 1). Based on the intelligence collected, a raid on the drugs laboratory is ordered (Scenario 1, mission 2). During the raid traces of CWA and explosives are found. Specialized units follow the SOF units as enablers and secure critical intelligence in the lab in the basement of the building  that leads to a terrorist group planning to execute an attack using a VBIED with HAZMAT payload at an event in Zagreb

Following the successful raid on the lab, the evidence it provided, and the reconnaissance of the observation team (mission 4), a café-bar, which is used as a cover for storing illegal weapons and explosives and for hosting several tangos, is identified. A SOF raid is therefore planned to clear the opposition on site (mission 5), to allow forensics and other units to enter and carry out intelligence gathering and collect evidence as to the group’s activities (mission 6). During this mission, the forensics team detects evidence for a possible VBIED which requires additional activities to be carried. Based on those evidence, a CBRNe reconnaissance of the Café-bar surrounding area identifies a vehicle suspected to carry an IED that contains a HAZMAT payload. Teams will be sent to investigate the vehicle for further evidence (mission 7).

The intelligence generated by the café raid confirmed that a large group of foreign national will try to illegally enter Croatia through a forest trail in the area of Mala Pljesevica. Warnings given by the Croatian Intelligence Agency suggests that 2 HVTs involved plan an attack, possibly using HAZMAT, on Croatian or EU soil. A SOF night ambush is then planned to arrest the HVTs and gather further intelligence (mission 8).  A sniper starts the mission with taking down the vehicle and SOF units proceed with the extractions of the tangos.

A later investigation of the captured HVT by intelligence units reveals the name and a location of a woman suspected to hold knowledge and information with regards to an imminent terrorist attack. The intelligence leads to a reconnaissance mission in the woman’s apartment (mission 9). SOF teams are then tasked to raid the suspect’s apartment with the aim of arresting the suspect (mission 10)  and allow forensics and other units to operate and conduct forensics and CBRN sampling (mission 11).

Evidence and intel gathered from the raid have led intelligence units to confirm that in the next 24 hours, a small group of male foreign citizens will conduct a terrorist attack with a dirty bomb in the capital of Zagreb. Intelligence analysis identifies the suspects means of transportation- a vehicle headed towards the Champions League football match in Zagreb SOF teams are assigned to raid on the vehicle and neutralize threat (mission 12). Given the high threatcon level and presence of HAZMAT specialized CBRN and EOD units will support SoF operators with their expertise and equipment, and assist in removing the suspected car from the public space (mission 13).

Area of operations at NCT PRO Challenge 2022

In 2022 NCT PRO Challenge took place in Stubička Slatina. Stubička Slatina military barracks is a military facility previously used by Croatian Armed Forces. The facility has been used by many security sectors in Croatia for different types of training of Croatian Special Forces, firefighters, anti-terrorists units, etc. The facility is spread over 180.000 m² and consists of a forest area with dirt roads, hidden ammunition and underground storage areas, pavement roads, different built objects (restaurants, accommodation, meeting rooms, basements), opened and covered areas and a classroom. All the mentioned objects make the location suitable for different types of training and variety of different scenarios. The location allows for the use of SWAT operations using Simunition, (small) explosives and CB simulants.

How does it work?

The start of your participation in NCT PRO is registering your team for the event. Your NCT Consultant will contact you to prepare your participation. The event is not open like other NCT PRO events, but we can request your participation with our event partner.

The next step is to discuss your training goals, team and equipment for the trainings. Once you have been accepted on the training, our NCT PRO Consultant will send you a Team Form to register all your details.

Impressions from past NCT

NCT Sponsors 2023

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Schedule at NCT PRO Challenge 2022

DayTimeProgramLocation
MondayMorningNCT PRO BriefingStubička Slatina
MondayAfternoonParallel training lanesStubička Slatina / Vrbovec range
Tuesday - Thursdayall dayParallel training lanesStubička Slatina / Vrbovec range
WednesdayEveningNight missionStubička Slatina / Vrbovec range
ThursdayEveningCommanders dinnerZagreb
FridayAfternoonDemonstration & expo displayPolice Academy in Zagreb
FridayEveningBBQ Dinner for all