The problem of lack of military equipment for Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially relating to aircraft, has been expressed for several years, which is why the Ministry of Defense decided to start a procedure to purchase new helicopters.
Up until now, the aforementioned Ministry had two transport aircraft, Russian MI-8s, while the Program of Defense of BiH plans to purchase a total of 32 helicopters, according to the budget.
“The Ministry of Defense BiH sent the act to the Presidency of BiH so they would initiate an increase in the total budget of the institutions of BiH. That increase is necessary for financing high-priority projects, such as the acquisition of helicopters,” according to the Ministry.
Unofficially, we’ve come to the information that the debt that Russia paid to BiH will be used to purchase these helicopters, which means that BiH will soon get two helicopters. A part of that program is modernization of the Armed Forces of BiH, while the final decision will be made by the Council of Ministers, which decides as to how to spend that money.
“We’re expecting the Presidency to support the request of the Ministry of Defense of BiH to increase the 2018 budget. Those funds will be used to acquire two new medium transport helicopters and two aircraft for anti-fire activities, namely two multi-purpose helicopters,” they added from the MoD.
They say that the two new helicopters will cost around 65 million BAM.
What’s interesting is that BiH, even though it’s trying to achieve membership in NATO, could buy Russian helicopters, which was confirmed by Boris Jerinic, the deputy minister of defense of BiH. He said that it’s the more realistic option and that they’ll probably continue buying series MI helicopters, which the US already owns and have shown good on the terrain.
Their characteristics are incredibly important when it’s a question about helicopters that won’t be used only for military purposes but also for civilian purposes, such as anti-fire activities, saving people and property, which will increase the safety of BiH’s citizens.
(Source: Radiosarajevo.ba)
