BHANSA supports the EU Action Plan to counter drone threats

In a statement, BHANSA emphasized that timely alignment of the domestic legislative and regulatory framework is crucial for the safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into the airspace of Bosnia and Herzegovina, while ensuring the protection of critical infrastructure and public safety.

The Agency, in cooperation with the Bosnia and Herzegovina Directorate of Civil Aviation (BHDCA), is the only institution in the country with the operational and technical knowledge and experience necessary to manage the safe functioning of airspace in the context of unmanned systems.

BHANSA underlined the need for systematic harmonization of domestic legislation with modern European standards, including improvements to the Law on BHANSA, which is currently in the legislative procedure, as well as the completion and adoption of the Law on Civil Aviation of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This would clearly regulate operators' obligations, technical standards, registration procedures, and operational restrictions for unmanned aerial vehicles. It is also necessary to adopt appropriate by-laws and technical regulations to enable the implementation of EU standards, particularly in the areas of system interoperability, data exchange, and the responsibilities of all involved stakeholders.

Special emphasis was placed on establishing a clear regulatory framework for systems designed to detect and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles in protected and critical zones, while respecting data protection, privacy, and human rights standards. The integration of unmanned systems into Bosnia and Herzegovina’s airspace must be guided by principles of safety, coordination, and technical compatibility with all airspace users, the statement said.

The goal of the reforms is to strengthen national security while enabling the controlled development of civilian applications of unmanned aerial vehicles in sectors such as logistics, agriculture, infrastructure monitoring, and emergency response.

"BHANSA supports the European Union's ambitions to strengthen prevention and response capabilities regarding the risks posed by unmanned aerial vehicles. Timely alignment of the legislative framework is essential for Bosnia and Herzegovina to maintain a high level of airspace safety and be prepared for the technological challenges of the future," said Davorin Primorac, Director of BHANSA.