Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is the only country in Europe that does not allocate budget funds for the procurement of new weapons, raising serious concerns about national security and the operational capability of the Armed Forces of BiH (AFBiH).
Unlike neighboring countries that regularly invest in modernizing their military equipment, BiH has continued the practice of minimal defense sector investment. According to available data, the budget of the Ministry of Defense of BiH for 2024 is approximately 391 million BAM. However, not a single BAM from this budget has been allocated for the procurement of new weaponry.
Military analysts warn that the budget structure is extremely poor. According to Hamza Visca, a typical military budget structure allocates 50% for personnel costs, 30% for modernization, and 20% for operational expenses. In the case of BiH, as much as 90% of the budget goes to personnel costs, leaving almost nothing for modernization or the army’s operational functionality.
Visca emphasizes that allocating two billion BAM would allow the fulfillment of a ten-year modernization plan for the AFBiH. “The army is currently short 1.500 soldiers and most of the equipment is outdated and long overdue for replacement.” He adds that BiH does not have a single modern military aircraft while neighboring countries are rapidly upgrading their capabilities.
Political obstructions
On the other hand, military analyst Nedzad Ahatovic believes that political pressures play a key role in blocking army modernization. He states that every initiative for additional training, education, or equipping of the AFBiH is often challenged in parliament. According to him, the unified FBiH symbolizes the country’s sovereignty and serves as a factor of social integration, making them a target of political obstructions.
Ahatovic stresses that the AFBiH are a crucial pillar of stability, but the current situation is contributing to the weakening of their operational capacity.
Visca draws another comparison: “While Europe plans to invest 800 billion euros in military modernization, BiH plans only a symbolic 150 million euros.”
BiH Minister of Defense Zukan Helez has responded, emphasizing that this situation is unsustainable and that urgent solutions are needed to maintain at least minimal operational capability of the AFBiH. However, despite his appeals, no additional funds have been approved.
The issue of arms procurement is not only a matter of national security but also of fulfilling international obligations. As a member of the Partnership for Peace, BiH has a responsibility to maintain capable and operational forces that can participate in NATO peacekeeping missions and other international operations.
Experts are calling for urgent changes in budget planning, warning that the continuation of this practice could have long-term consequences for the country’s security system, Forbes writes.
