NATO officials conduct security and defense industry inspections in the Balkans

NATO officials have conducted high-level visits across the Balkans to assess regional security and defense capabilities. Brigadier General James C. Fowler, commander of the NATO Headquarters Sarajevo, met with Bosnia and Herzegovina Defense Minister Zukan Helez to inspect several defense industry companies, including Binas d.d. Bugojno, BNT d.d. Novi Travnik, and Pretis d.d. Vogošća.

During the inspections, officials observed production facilities and a live-fire demonstration of a 125 mm M-84 tank gun. Minister Helez noted significant growth in the sector, highlighting increased revenues and employment at companies like Binas and BNT, the latter of which has expanded into drone production.

In a separate engagement, KFOR Commander Major General Özkan Ulutaş hosted General Fowler at the KFOR headquarters in Pristina, Kosovo. The meeting focused on the regional security situation. General Ulutaş reaffirmed KFOR’s commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all residents in Kosovo, operating in coordination with the Kosovo Police and the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) under UN Security Council Resolution 1244.