Bosnia and Herzegovina's Defense Minister Strengthens Cooperation at IDEF 2025

Strategic Insights -

At the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) in Istanbul, Bosnia and Herzegovina's Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez, has emphasized the country's dedication to enhancing bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Trkiye. The IDEF 2025, a leading defense industry fair in the region, brought together prominent domestic and international companies from the defense and security sector. Minister Helez met with the Secretary of the Defense Industry of the Republic of Trkiye, Haluk Gorgn, to discuss cooperation in the field of defense, past achievements, and future guidelines. Helez expressed satisfaction with the meeting, highlighting the significant role of the Defense Industry Secretariat in supporting joint projects. The Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening military-financial cooperation with Trkiye, aiming to sign a new agreement in 2026.

Key Takeaways:

  • Minister Zukan Helez met with the Secretary of the Defense Industry of the Republic of Trkiye, Haluk Gorgn, at IDEF 2025 to discuss defense cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Trkiye.
  • The meeting focused on past achievements, current challenges, and guidelines for future cooperation in the defense sector.
  • Minister Helez emphasized the significance of the Defense Industry Secretariat in supporting projects implemented through the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Trkiye.
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina aims to intensify cooperation with the Republic of Trkiye and is committed to continuing the existing military-financial cooperation agreement.
  • The Ministry of Defense expressed confidence that a new cooperation agreement will be signed with Trkiye in 2026.

Statistics:

  • The 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025) took place in Istanbul from July 22 to 27.
  • Minister Helez held a meeting with Haluk Gorgn, the Secretary of the Defense Industry of the Republic of Trkiye, on the first day of the fair.
  • The IDEF 2025 brought together leading domestic and international companies from the defense and security sector.
  • The Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina intends to sign a new military-financial cooperation agreement with the Republic of Trkiye in 2026.

Sources:

  • [The Deputy Chair of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez, is participating in the 17th International Defense Industry Fair (IDEF 2025), which will be held from July 22 to 27 in Istanbul. The IDEF 2025, organized under the patronage of the President of the Republic of Trkiye, is one of the largest and most significant defense industry fairs in the region. It brings together leading domestic and international companies from the defense and security sector, providing a key platform for showcasing modern equipment, exchanging knowledge, and strengthening international cooperation. On the first day of the fair, Minister Helez held a meeting with the Secretary of the Defense Industry of the Republic of Trkiye, Haluk Gorgn. The meeting focused on the cooperation between Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Republic of Trkiye in the field of defense, past achievements, current challenges, and guidelines for future cooperation. Helez expressed particular satisfaction with the meeting, emphasizing the significant role of the Defense Industry Secretariat in supporting projects implemented through the Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Trkiye. He also agreed with Gorgn on more intensive cooperation between the defense industries of the two countries. Helez stressed to Gorgn that Bosnia and Herzegovina's integration into the European Union and NATO are two strategic goals of BiH's foreign and security policy. The Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina expressed its permanent and deep commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation with the Republic of Trkiye and its full readiness to continue implementing the existing military-financial cooperation agreement with Trkiye, while expressing confidence that a new agreement will be signed in 2026.]