Salah Gombalat, Minister of State for Military Production, is travelling today to Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the First Balkan Shield – Defence Industry Expo and Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in Sarajevo from 1-4 September 2026.
The visit follows the directives of President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi to strengthen international cooperation across various industrial and technological fields and build effective partnerships with representatives of friendly and allied countries, as a key pillar of achieving comprehensive and sustainable development.
Gombalat said that his participation in the exhibition follows an invitation from Zukan Helez, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The invitation reflects both sides’ commitment to strengthening cooperation across various fields, particularly defence industries.
He also expressed his deep appreciation for the relations between Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are based on mutual respect and constructive cooperation. He highlighted the two countries’ leaderships’ commitment to strengthening the bilateral partnership and broadening its horizons in a manner that serves their shared interests and contributes to development and stability.
The Minister of State for Military Production explained that First Balkan Shield provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and gain insight into the latest manufacturing technologies. It also serves as a global platform bringing together a large number of leaders, decision-makers, senior officials and experts from the defence industry sector around the world to discuss ways to develop industrial technologies and solutions, as well as security and defence strategies that can help address the evolving challenges facing the world.
He added that the Ministry of Military Production’s pavilion at the exhibition will showcase samples of products manufactured by its affiliated companies, including a range of advanced weapons, ammunition, equipment and defence systems produced using the latest global technologies.
The exhibition programme is expected to include meetings and discussions between the Minister of State for Military Production and a number of prominent figures and heads of participating companies. Gombalat is also scheduled to visit the pavilions of entities representing various countries to learn about the latest manufacturing technologies.
First Balkan Shield – Defence Industry Expo and Summit 2026 is the first specialised defence and security exhibition to be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The event aims to consolidate Sarajevo’s position as a regional hub for the defence industry, innovation and international cooperation.
The exhibition will feature a number of specialised companies operating in the manufacture of weapons and ammunition, military equipment and armoured systems, unmanned aerial systems, air defence and counter-drone systems, communications equipment and military electronics, as well as cybersecurity.
