More than half of the military-technical equipment funded through the European Peace Facility (EPF) has been delivered to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) as part of the EU’s second support package.

The progress was highlighted during a visit to the Rajlovac military base, where Zoran Sajinovic, Assistant Minister of Defense for International Cooperation (BiH), and Francesca Pessina, Deputy Head of the EPF Unit, co-chaired the Steering Committee overseeing the second phase of EPF assistance. Deliveries, which began in December 2023, are proceeding smoothly, according to an EU Delegation statement.

The provided equipment includes advanced field gear, vehicles, engineering tools, ICT systems, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) detection and decontamination tools. Over half of the EPF-funded materials have already been handed over to the AFBiH's Tactical Support Brigade.

“These donations not only strengthen the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina and ensure safer engagement but also support their participation in EU missions and operations under the Common Security and Defense Policy,” the EU Delegation noted.

This measure was established on December 1, 2022, under Council Decision (CFSP) 2022/2353, with implementation by Lithuania's Central Project Management Agency. Bosnia and Herzegovina currently benefits from two bilateral measures under the EPF, totalling €20 million, alongside regional support through the Balkan Medical Task Force initiative.

The assistance is part of broader EU-Western Balkans cooperation in security and defence. To date, the EPF has provided six measures of support to Bosnia and Herzegovina, amounting to €61 million.