Held for the first time this year, the Defence Industry Expo and Summit (Balkan Shield 2026) has started in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina. First Balkan Shield 2026 brings together defense industry companies, public institutions, military officials, investors, and international delegations in Sarajevo. Türkiye’s leading defense industry companies ASELSAN, MKE, BMC, and ASFAT are also taking part in the exhibition.

Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is hosting the country’s first international defense industry exhibition, First Balkan Shield – Defence Industry Expo & Summit 2026.

The exhibition, held on September 1-4 at the Juan Antonio Samaranch Olympic Hall Zetra, brings together defense industry companies, technology organizations, public institutions, military representatives, investors, and industry experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Türkiye, Slovenia, China, the US, and Egypt. At the exhibition, 50 companies are showcasing their products in an indoor and outdoor exhibition area of more than 7,000 square meters.

Organized by UNIS Group, First Balkan Shield has the distinction of being the first international defense industry organization held in its field in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event is of great importance in terms of introducing the country’s defense industry capacity to international markets and enabling domestic manufacturers to establish new business connections with foreign companies.

Strong participation from Türkiye

Türkiye is represented at the exhibition by leading defense industry companies ASELSAN, MKE, BMC, and ASFAT. In addition, the Secretariat of Defense Industries of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye (SSB) is also taking part in the event.

Türkiye’s participation in the exhibition also stands out as part of the efforts to develop defense and military cooperation between Ankara and Sarajevo.

In addition to the representatives of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina, executives of defense industry organizations from Türkiye are also holding talks within the scope of the exhibition.

Bosnia and Herzegovina showcases its defense industry capacity

First Balkan Shield is also important in terms of presenting the capacity of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense industry companies with a long history to international visitors.

Organizations based in Bosnia and Herzegovina supporting the exhibition include BINAS, BNT – Tvornica mašina i hidraulike, IGMAN, PRETIS, UNIS GINEX, Tehnički remontni zavod (TRZ), and ZRAK. These companies are cited among the core organizations of the country’s defense industry ecosystem.

The Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are also participating in the exhibition with personnel and military equipment. Within the scope of the program, it is planned to hold demonstrations on military police, explosive ordnance disposal, counter-mine, and CBRN defense capabilities, and to exhibit some newly procured military equipment.

International participation from Egypt, China, the US, and Slovenia

In addition to Türkiye, companies from the defense and security sectors of Egypt, China, the US, and Slovenia are also taking part in the exhibition.

In Egypt’s participation, the Ministry of Military Production and Alexandria Shipyard stand out. Egyptian Minister of Military Production Salah Suleiman Gamblat is also among the political officials attending the exhibition.

The exhibition, which is also attended by companies and organizations from China, the US, and Slovenia, thus brings together actors from the broader international defense industry market as well as the Balkans in Sarajevo.

Artificial intelligence and cybersecurity are on the agenda

First Balkan Shield does not only consist of a product and technology exhibition. Within the scope of the exhibition, the future of the defense industry, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, unmanned systems, electronics, defense industry production capacity, export policies, international cooperation, and next-generation security technologies will be discussed.

Defense ministries, security institutions, academics, research centers, and industry representatives are planned to come together in the international conference and scientific program.

In addition, B2B and B2G meetings and networking programs are organized at the exhibition. Through these meetings, it is aimed to establish new commercial connections between manufacturers, suppliers, investors, public institutions, and international delegations.

Sarajevo aims to become a regional defense industry hub

With First Balkan Shield, the Bosnia and Herzegovina administration and the organizer of the exhibition, UNIS Group, aim to open the country’s defense industry capacity more strongly to international markets and to make Sarajevo a regional meeting point in the Balkans in terms of defense industry, technology, and international cooperation.

While the organization, which started with approximately 50 exhibitors, is expected to reach a wider international participation in the coming years, the first exhibition is evaluated as the beginning of a new era in terms of bringing together Bosnia and Herzegovina’s current capacity in the defense industry with international manufacturers and potential customers.