First Deputy Chairperson of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defense Zukan Helez held a meeting on Tursday with ambassadors and members of the Association of Military-Diplomatic Representatives accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina, inviting them to motivate defense industry companies from their countries to participate in a majormilitary exhibition to be held in Sarajevo in early September.
The armament and military equipment fair, titled “First Balkan Shield – Industrial Expo & Summit 2026,” the first of its kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina, will be held from September 1 to 4, 2026, at the Army Hall (Zetra) in Sarajevo. The organizers are the UNIS Group from Sarajevo and the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with the support of the Ministry of Defense of BiH.
Federal Minister of Energy, Mining, and Industry Vedran Lakić also attended the meeting with ambassadors and members of the Association of Military-Diplomatic Representatives accredited to Bosnia and Herzegovina. During the meeting, held at the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina Hall, the CEO of UNIS Group, Denis Silajžić, presented key details regarding the fair, including its significance for the development of the defense industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina, opportunities for market expansion, and networking with international partners.
Helez stated that the event represents an important step forwardin affirming the domestic industry and connecting it with regional and international partners, calling on military-diplomatic representatives to motivate defense industry companies in their countries to attend and present themselves at the fair.
“The defense industry in Bosnia and Herzegovina has recently been experiencing a renaissance, with record results in exports and production. There is still significant room for further progress and new business ventures. This is precisely why this fair represents an exceptional opportunity to further strengthen the sector, enhance production capacities, attract new investments, and solidify the position of BiH on the international market. I am convinced that today’s talks will serve as a foundation for future projects and the strengthening of partnerships, as well as finding new ways for the further modernization of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina,” stated Minister Zukan Helez.
The “First Balkan Shield” defense industry fair is expected to gather exhibitors from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, the region, and the world, enabling the presentation of new technological solutions and industrial achievements on more than seven thousand square meters of exhibition space in Zetra.
Lakić emphasized that the fair will be a meeting point for experts, manufacturers, and partners, where innovations will be presented, ideas exchanged, and new opportunities for development and cooperation opened.
“This event will further contribute to positioning our country as an active participant in modern industrial and technological trends,” concluded Federal Minister Lakić, as reported by the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
