Egypt’s Minister of State for Military Production, Major General Salah Suleiman Gomblat, on Monday headed to Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the country’s first defence exhibition and summit, the First Balkan Shield Defence Industry Expo and Summit 2026, held in Sarajevo from 1 to 4 September.
Gomblat said his participation comes in response to an invitation from Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Zukan Helez, reflecting the two countries’ keenness to strengthen co-operation across various fields, particularly defence industries.
He also highlighted the strong co-operative relations between Egypt and Bosnia and Herzegovina, describing them as based on mutual respect and constructive co-operation.
The leaderships of both countries are keen to strengthen the bilateral partnership and expand it in ways that serve their common interests and contribute to development and stability, Gomblat said.
The First Balkan Shield exhibition provides an opportunity to exchange expertise and learn about the latest manufacturing technologies, he added.
It also represents an international platform bringing together leaders, decision-makers, senior officials and experts from the defence industries sector from around the world to discuss the development of industrial technologies, solutions and security and defence strategies to address evolving global challenges.
The Egyptian ministry’s pavilion at the exhibition will showcase models of a range of advanced weapons, ammunition, equipment and defence systems manufactured by the ministry’s affiliated companies using the latest global technologies.
Minister Gomblat will meet with a number of prominent figures and heads of participating companies, and will visit the pavilions of various countries to learn about the latest manufacturing technologies.
The First Balkan Shield – Defence Industry Expo and Summit 2026 is the first specialised defence and security exhibition to be held in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It aims to strengthen Sarajevo’s position as a regional hub for the defence industry, innovation and international co-operation.
The event brings together specialised companies working in weapons and ammunition manufacturing, military equipment and armoured systems, unmanned aerial systems, air defence and counter-drone systems, military communications and electronics, and cybersecurity.
