MOSTAR, April 24 (FENA) – Bosnia and Herzegovina allocates only 0.9 percent of its GDP for defense, which is far from the 2 percent goal recommended by NATO to its members, and the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina currently lack around 1,500 professional military personnel, as well as equipment according to NATO standards that would improve land and air mobility.

According to the latest data, the majority of the 32 members of the NATO alliance do not allocate two percent of GDP for defense, while on the other hand, when it comes to the region, Serbia, which, like Bosnia and Herzegovina, is not a member of the North Atlantic Alliance, spent one billion and 510 million dollars on defense last year, which is about 2 percent of Serbia’s GDP and that is the largest amount in the country’s recent history allocated for defense.

By increasing the allocation of GDP, from the current 0.9 percent to the projected 2 percent, positive conditions would be created for the overall progress of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and their efficiency, training, professionalism, interoperability would increase, as well as compatibility with the forces of NATO and EU member states, the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina assessed in an interview with FENA.

Regarding equipment (weapons and military equipment), the Ministry says that what is most lacking at the moment is equipment according to NATO standards that would improve land and air mobility.

They further emphasize that the Armed Forces developed 16 projects through which they determined the needs for their future modernization.

“In the future, we expect that the planned financial resources for the implementation of the mentioned modernization projects will be available, that is, at the disposal of the Armed Forces of BiH to realize them and improve the level of equipment of the commands and units of the Armed Forces of BiH”, the Ministry points out.

They also add that the current movement and level of implementation of the approved budget did not follow the dynamics and level of development and equipment needs of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which, they note, is below the level of financing of the armed forces of neighboring countries, as well as international trends in general.

Given that part of the equipment was worn out, and the same was inherited from the entity armies, part of the equipment and resources intended to fill the commands and units of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina was also acquired through donations. Donations and financial assistance for the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina are realized through international agreements, contracts, etc., signed by the Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina or the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina, according to the Ministry.

As they point out, they expect maximum support from the competent institutions in the realization of the procurement and equipment plan of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which are designed on development principles, not only through budget funds but also through other guarantees provided by law.

On the other hand, due to retirements, expiration of contracts, etc., the Armed Forces lack about 1,500 professional military personnel. However, they say that the Ministry plans to hire about 1,300 new personnel this year.

When asked about the introduction of military service, they answered that the abolition of military service was part of the reform of the defense system in our country, thus part of an effective process of creating a single Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina and a single, modern and operational Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

“The introduction of mandatory military service would require detailed analysis and planning, and only based on the prepared plan could we talk about all the aspects that would affect such a complex process as the introduction of military service would be for the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina”, they stated and added that the BiH Ministry of Defense considers that the necessary conditions for the elaboration of this topic have not been met.