From 1 to 4 September 2026, Sarajevo hosted the first international defence industry fair in Bosnia and Herzegovina, First Balkan Shield 2026 – Defence Industry Expo & Summit. Held at the Juan Antonio Samaranch Olympic Hall – Zetra, the event brought together domestic and international manufacturers, institutions, armed forces, experts, investors, business partners and international delegations across more than 7,000 square metres.
According to publicly available information, around 50 companies took part, while representatives of 15 countries from four continents joined the exhibition, institutional and business programme. Balkan Shield combined an exhibition, strategic dialogue, expert panels, B2B and B2G meetings, technological innovation and international business networking.
Sarajevo as a meeting point for industry, institutions and partners
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of state and federal institutions, the Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Armed Forces of BiH, international delegations and leading defence companies. Participants included Denis Bećirović, Nermin Nikšić, Vedran Lakić, Zukan Helez, UNIS Group director Denis Silajdžić and a representative of ASELSAN, the fair’s general sponsor.
UNIS Group as a project implementation leader
With its long experience in the defence industry, UNIS Group was one of the key organisations responsible for implementing the fair, together with the Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and with the support of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH.
The aim was to create a long-term business platform connecting domestic industrial capabilities with international buyers, partners, institutions and technology companies.
Technology, production and innovation
The exhibition covered weapons and ammunition, military and protective equipment, unmanned systems, optics and electronics, cyber security, logistics, military infrastructure, mechanical and metal industries and related technologies.
Direct conversations between manufacturers, institutions, potential buyers and business partners were among the fair’s key strengths. The B2B and B2G format created opportunities for contracts, joint development projects and access to new markets.
International character and new markets
From its first edition, Balkan Shield had a clear international character. Companies and delegations from several countries gave domestic manufacturers the opportunity to present their products and capabilities to international partners at home, while foreign participants gained direct insight into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s industrial potential.
Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces of BiH
The Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces of BiH contributed an important institutional and expert dimension through the professional and protocol programme, equipment presentations and panels connecting the industrial fair with the practical needs of the modern security sector.
More than 70 years of tradition, with a focus on the future
First Balkan Shield 2026 presented Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defence industry as a development and export sector with more than 70 years of tradition and a clear need for modernisation, automation, research and development, and investment in a new generation of professionals.
In the first six months of 2026, eight defence industry companies reported KM 212.6 million in revenue, KM 31.7 million in profit and 3,826 employees, according to the Federal Ministry of Energy, Mining and Industry.
Balkan Shield 2028
The next edition of the fair is scheduled to begin on 1 September 2028. The ambition is to make Balkan Shield larger and even more international, with more exhibitors, countries, business meetings and concrete opportunities.
The first edition showed that Sarajevo can host a specialised international event that presents domestic industry, connects it with global markets and opens space for technological and business cooperation.