Today, the first presentation of the new helicopter and the Helicopter Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton was held on Mount Igman. A top-tier multi-role helicopter, Bell 412 EPX, was presented in the presence of a large number of attendees from all levels of government, representatives of all security agencies in the country, and the diplomatic corps.
It was announced as a new reliable partner of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton in providing public security, medical transport, firefighting, and rescue operations. At the same time, this ministry presented its first Helicopter unit consisting of four pilots and two aircraft mechanics trained at the academy in Montenegro, the United States, and Singapore.
The Minister of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton said in his address that today we were witnessing one of the most important historical moments. “As of today, our police protect our sky! As of today, every citizen feels more secure because we have built a police force in Sarajevo which guarantees peace! Peace which is not talked about, but protected by law, armor, and as of today, a helicopter! We have the most modern and most stable police agency in the country; we delivered security through action, showed that we appreciate the life of every police officer, and made technological breakthroughs. In one word: Sarajevo is no longer, or will it ever be, an easy topic,” said Minister Katica.
The Police Commissioner of the Sarajevo Canton Ministry of Interior Police Support Department, Fatmir Hajdarević, expressed hope that the helicopter unit will be an even more effective link connecting the police, healthcare workers, firefighters, and rescuers. “The possibility for us to rely on air support in critical situations significantly changes the reaction dynamics; therefore, I hope and believe that the cooperation between the Sector for Police Support of the Police Management and the Helicopter Unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton will be efficient and fruitful,” said the Police Commissioner Hajdarević.
Chairman of the Sarajevo Canton Assembly Elvedin Okerić said that his aircraft represents a strategic investment in citizens’ security. “We are currently witnessing a realization of one of the most significant security projects in the history of Sarajevo Canton. The Assembly and the Government of Sarajevo Canton successfully and responsibly implemented the project to procure a multi-role helicopter, despite many doubts, manufactured controversies, and unsubstantiated criticism. Today we are not only presenting a helicopter, but a new ability of the country to protect its citizens,” said Chair Okerić.
The U.S. Embassy Charge d’Affaires John Ginkel addressed the attendees with the words: “This aircraft, produced by the U.S. company Bell Textron Inc. in the US federal state of Tennessee, represents the US engineering, safety standards, and reliability in missions where minutes mean lives. With US technology, you will contribute to the security of your community, and we look forward to decades of close partnership between the United States and Sarajevo Canton. I want to praise the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton for making a wise choice. Since its beginnings, the Bell Company has been projecting and producing aircraft intended for critical tasks in extreme conditions, and I am convinced that this procurement will significantly advance the capacities of the public security in Sarajevo.”
The Prime Minister of the Sarajevo Canton, Nihad Uk, emphasized in his address that today marks a historic step forward for the Sarajevo Canton.
“The value of this investment is not measured by the number of actions, but rests on peace that lets citizens know institutions are working on their protection, even when the sky is still. We will no longer solely rely on help from others. Now, we are also in a position to offer a hand to those in need, in line with our capabilities. I wish a safe sky and successful missions for the members of the Helicopter unit- and however unusual it may sound, I want them to have as little work as possible. As this will signify fewer accidents, fewer tragedies, and fewer situations in which they will be required to help. Let this helicopter be a symbol of responsible government which invests in things that have no price – security and lives of its citizens,” said Prime Minister Uk.
Deputy Chair of the House of Peoples of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kemal Ademović, said that the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina supports efforts directed towards strengthening the rule of law, the professionalization of the security sector and the development of capacities serving the citizens, and that the introduction of helicopter capacities represents a confirmation of the strategic commitment to the modernization of police structures. “This unit will have a significant role in various areas of activity – from supporting police operations, search and rescue, reacting in extraordinary situations, offering help to the population in critical circumstances, to other tasks of interest for citizens’ security. Professionalism, training, responsibility, and dedication of the members of this unit will be a key factor in its success,” Deputy Chair Ademović said.
The first Helicopter unit of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton includes the following pilots: Adnan Salihagić, Kerim Habibović, Amir Bajrović, and Fuad Brčić, as well as aircraft mechanics-operators Armin Karić and Edis Lokvančić.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, Admir Katica, presented certificates of appreciation to the partners who made this project possible through their work and devotion: the BELL Textron Company, the helicopter manufacturer, and SHOT d.o.o. Zenica Company, a supplier.
“Today’s program featured content that, by its nature, did not violate the Day of Mourning in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and paid tribute to the Bosnian and Herzegovinian mountaineers who tragically lost their lives on Mount Elbrus in Russia.
At the start of the presentation, the national anthem of Bosnia and Herzegovina was performed by composer and guitarist Dino Šukalo.
In June 2024, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Sarajevo Canton and the Zenica-based company Shot d.o.o. signed a contract to procure a multi-role helicopter valued at 30,340,000 BAM (excluding VAT).
