First Balkan Shield Defense Expo Opens in Sarajevo

The first Balkan Shield Defence Industry Expo and Summit opens in Sarajevo on September 1, bringing Bosnia and Herzegovina's defense manufacturers together with companies and government defense organizations from several foreign markets. The event will run for four days at Zetra Olympic Hall, through September 4.

Balkan Shield covers military equipment, defense technologies, logistics, cybersecurity, unmanned systems and related sectors. As a first-edition event, it provides a new domestic venue for Bosnia and Herzegovina's defense industry to present its capabilities alongside a limited international presence.

A preliminary exhibitor list reviewed by AdriaDefense includes Bosnian manufacturers UNIS Group, UNIS GINEX, Igman, Pretis, Binas, BNT-TMiH, TRZ Hadžići, ZRAK Sarajevo, ORAO, TRB, Pobjeda-Rudet and Pobjeda Technology. The list also includes several Bosnian institutions and other companies. 

Foreign participants listed for the event include Turkish defense companies ASELSAN, Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi, BMC and ASFAT, alongside the Turkish Presidency of Defence Industries. Egypt's Ministry of Military Production and Alexandria Shipyard Company are also on the preliminary list. 

Egyptian Minister of State for Military Production Salah Suleiman Gamblat traveled to Bosnia and Herzegovina on August 31 to attend Balkan Shield. His visit follows earlier discussions between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Egypt in 2026 on potential defense-industrial cooperation.

Bosnian Armed Forces to Display Newly Acquired Equipment

The Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina has confirmed that the Armed Forces will participate with personnel, equipment and capability demonstrations.

The program includes military police, explosive ordnance disposal, countermine and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defense capabilities.

The Armed Forces will also present part of their newly acquired equipment. The ministry has not identified the systems scheduled for display.

For Bosnia and Herzegovina's defense manufacturers, the inaugural Balkan Shield provides another opportunity to present products and establish contacts with foreign companies and government representatives. Whether the event develops into a recurring regional defense exhibition will depend on future editions and international participation.

The first Balkan Shield Defence Industry Expo and Summit runs in Sarajevo from September 1 through September 4, 2026.