The military industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is flourishing due to the unstable geopolitical situation around the world, and companies from BiH that produce ammunition have been achieving record export results since the beginning of the year, according to data collected by government agencies.
The Indirect Taxation Authority (ITA) of BiH, which is the equivalent of the customs administration in BiH, announced that during the first two months of this year, the value of military equipment exports reached 91.2 million BAM (46.6 million euros). Although that figure does not seem impressive on its own, what is important is that it represents double the value compared to the same period in 2024, i.e., a difference of 50 million BAM (26 million euros).
Growth of military equipment exports: in the first two months of 2025 – 91.2 million BAM (46.6 million euros); in the first two months of 2024 – 50 million BAM (26 million euros).
The value of these exports from BiH is all the more significant because the country does not produce complex and expensive weapons systems, but mostly ammunition, which is relatively cheap but increasingly in demand. According to ITA of BiH data, during the two months of this year, the most sought-after products from BiH were bombs, grenades, torpedoes, mines, rockets, military ammunition, and parts.
Where do they export the most?
As in previous years, BiH exported the most weapons to the Czech Republic, the United States (U.S.), Saudi Arabia, and Serbia, according to ITA of BiH data.
One of those companies is Tehnicki Remont Bratunac (TRB) in eastern BiH, which exports mainly to the Middle East, but also to Italy, Romania, and southern Africa.
The majority owner of that company, Slavenko Ristic, said that the data on export growth is not surprising because geopolitical developments and the global crisis are fueling fears of new conflicts. “All of this gives an opportunity and a chance to our defense industry to find its place on the global market, as an industry that does not offer politics, but offers products,” said Ristic.
His assessment is that BiH’s advantage is that it is the only country on the Balkan market that “does not offer its politics, but good products at a competitive price.” “Our industry is growing in this way, and we will certainly invest in expanding capacity, i.e., use the opportunity to preserve peace in our country while ensuring the possibility for other countries to defend themselves,” said Ristic.
