The drones recently showcased at the Zenica Economic Fair (ZEPS), presented as a product of the Center for Technical and Technological Testing Sarajevo, were actually imported from China and have nothing to do with Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
The public in BiH welcomed the news of serial domestic drone production with general approval and enthusiasm. On the other hand, experts were skeptical about this development program from the very beginning.
However, the drone presented was not produced in BiH, which changes everything in relation to the claims made to the public. The fixed-wing drone, which the Center for Technical and Technological Testing Sarajevo presented as the “Tayan-1,” is actually a Chinese drone purchased from the company Hong Kong Jinzhuo Industry Limited.
The drone presented at the ZEPS as “Tayan-1” is actually from the Chinese company’s Loong family of drones. After contacting the company, it was confirmed that it was indeed that type of drone. In addition to confirming the drone’s model, the company even offered to sell the same one, highlighting how easy it is to acquire.
The Chinese company manufactures and sells these drones in various configurations, ranging from reconnaissance to combat drones. In addition to fixed-wing drones, the company also offers multicopters.
Asim Hadzic, director of the Center for Technical and Technological Testing Sarajevo, explained the error in the presentation of the drone.
“The drones (two) were purchased in Turkey, brought to BiH, and assembled here. They were intended to demonstrate that we will soon begin domestic drone production,” Hadzic clarified.
Further evidence that these are Chinese-made drones lies in descriptions given by Minister Helez, who repeatedly mentioned “platforms for grenade launchers.”
The company that manufactures and sells Loong drones offers equipment for carrying and releasing mortar rounds, just like the ones mentioned by Minister Helez.
BiH Defense Minister Zukan Helez did not respond to messages or calls. What is certain is that these drones have long been in serial production, but in the People’s Republic of China and not here.
Helez has never publicly presented where the drones he announced long ago are being produced in BiH, with which companies and countries have signed export agreements. BiH media has written multiple times that such claims were unfounded, yet Helez has not backed down from his story to the public. Although he once announced that he would take favored media outlets to show them the drones, that, too, never happened, according to Klix.ba.
Photo: Klix.ba
