Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), Zukan Helez, attended the opening of the International Defense Exhibition and Conference (IDEX) 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates(UAE).
“IDEX 2025 is one of the most significant defense and military equipment fairs in the world, offering government institutions, national armed forces, defense industry factories, global scientific and research institutions, and companies the opportunity to gather in one place, establish business connections, exchange knowledge and experiences, and advance their research and business operations.
We live in turbulent and unpredictable times. Defense and military equipment fairs like IDEX are an opportunity to stay in step with current global trends in the military industry.
My goal is to enhance the capabilities of the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH) so they are as prepared as possible to defend the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country. They must serve as a deterrent against any attempts to threaten the territorial integrity and wholeness of BiH.
Certainly, IDEX was also an opportunity to meet with defense ministers and government officials from other countries on the sidelines of the fair to discuss cooperation and lobby in favor of BiH. Throughout the day, I met with the Minister of National Defense of Romania, Angel Tilvar; Minister of Defense of Malaysia,Mohamed Khaled Nordin; the Chairman of the National Defense Committee of the Grand National Assembly of the Republic of Turkey, Hulusi Akar; the Secretary-General of Pakistan’s defense industry, Lieutenant General Muhammad Chiragh Haider; and many other political and military officials from around the world.
At this fair, I also received good news for the AFBiH.Representatives of the Turkish defense industry, BMC Company, informed me that the handover of the first KIRPI II armored combat vehicle can be expected at the beginning of March, with four more to follow by the end of March. The initial delivery deadline for these vehicles was July. I am glad that my lobbying efforts have helped shorten the delivery time.
I am particularly pleased that representatives of BiH‘s defense industry had their own exhibition stands at this fair: Pretis d.d. Vogosca, Binas d.d. Bugojno, BNT-Tvornica masina i hidraulike Novi Travnik, Unis Ginex d.d. Gorazde, Zrak d.d. Sarajevo, and Igman d.d. Konjic.
BiH‘s defense industry is developed and competitive worldwide. I am confident that they had valuable offerings at this fair, established new business contacts, and secured new agreements.
P.S. I am glad that the KIRPI II armored combat vehicles will soon be part of the AFBiH,” Helez stated, Biznis Info writes.
