OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina organizes donor visit to ammunition testing laboratory in Doboj

The OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and the BiH Ministry of Defence organized a visit to the new ammunition testing laboratory in a Technical Workshop for Repair and Destruction of Ammunition (TROM Doboj) on 11 April 2019 in Doboj.

The laboratory was opened within the project for the Safety Upgrade of Ammunition and Weapons Storage Sites in Bosnia and Herzegovina (SAFE-UP), being implemented by the OSCE Mission to BiH.

Representatives of donor countries which financed the project, the BiH Armed Forces, EUFOR and NATO Headquarters had an opportunity to observe first-hand the application of the latest technology in examining the chemical stability of ammunition.

“Less than a year ago, in July 2018, the SAFE-UP Project provided for the establishment of a laboratory for chemical and thermal analysis of ammunition,” said Alexander Chuplygin, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH. “This significant achievement will help our BiH partners in the safe-keeping of ammunition, contributing to the safety of both the civilian population and military personnel.”

The SAFE-UP Project aims to improve safety and security at prospective weapons and ammunition storage sites in BiH. It is financed by 14 donor countries, including Bosnia and Herzegovina as a host country: Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, France, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovakia, Switzerland and Turkey.

The OSCE Mission to BiH will continue to provide assistance in ensuring the sustainability of the Laboratory through training and equipment. The Mission will also continue the partnership with the BiH Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces to support their efforts in implementing the set of important strategic documents and plans.