Bosnia and Herzegovina is preparing to take an important step toward strengthening its defense capabilities. Defense Minister Zukan Helez announced that the procurement process for Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles from Türkiye has been finalized and that the official agreement will be signed at the end of May. The statement was made during a press conference held as part of the NATO Military Strategic Partnership Conference 2026 in Sarajevo. Helez’s remarks highlighted Bosnia and Herzegovina’s intention to improve its aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering capabilities.

According to Helez, the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are expected to receive 2 Bayraktar TB2 UAVs along with several smaller unmanned aerial systems. Stressing that the process has now been completed, Helez stated that they expect both the signing of the agreement and the delivery of the systems by the end of May. This development is seen as one of the most notable recent steps in the country’s defense modernization efforts. The proven operational performance of the Bayraktar TB2 also makes the acquisition strategically significant for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Helez said that hosting such an important international event was a sign of confidence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. He underlined that the conference was not only important for Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also for the entire region. He also expressed his hope for an end to ongoing conflicts around the world, emphasizing the importance of peace and stability. These remarks suggest that the country’s new defense investments are being framed not only as a military modernization effort, but also as part of a broader regional security and stability perspective.

Also speaking at the event, General Markus Laubenthal, Chief of Staff at NATO Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), said that cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and NATO continues to grow stronger. He noted that support for the interoperability of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina with NATO contributes to security and stability in the Western Balkans. Laubenthal added that NATO plans to work with Bosnia and Herzegovina on more concrete activities in the coming period by making full use of its tools, expertise, and training opportunities. He stressed that the stability of the Western Balkans remains of great importance to NATO.

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Yusuf Karagülle, Deputy Chief of Staff of SHAPE’s Partnerships Directorate, stated that resilience should not be viewed only through a military lens. He emphasized that governments’ approaches, along with civil and military elements and both public and private institutions, should all be evaluated together. The Military Strategic Partnership Conference 2026, which will run until March 26, has become a significant platform highlighting Bosnia and Herzegovina’s defense policies, its ties with NATO, and its role in the regional security environment. Within this broader framework, the Bayraktar TB2 procurement process has emerged as one of the most striking developments.