On 16 February 2017 COMEUFOR, Major General Friedrich Schrötter, together with the EUFOR Joint Military Affairs (JMA) Inspection Team visited the Igman ammunition manufacturing company in Konjic. The purpose of the visit was for EUFOR to familiarize themselves with Igman production and monitor the inspection of the manufacturing facility by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations (MoFTER) Inspectorate.
COMEUFOR meets with the Igman General Director and MoFTER chief inspector
On arrival, COMEUFOR was met by the General Director of Igman, Đahid Muratbegović, and the MoFTER chief inspector, Milomir Hršum. An initial brief was given in the Igman HQ building which covered the company background, product output and the purpose of the MoFTER inspection. The party then travelled up to the underground manufacturing facility where Mr Muratbegović guided the group through the abundance of machines and manpower required for the manufacturing of small arms ammunition from billet to bullet.
COMEUFOR said “I am interested in two particular elements on this visit; future development of the Company and the method and results of the inspection itself. Both are key to ensure the company progresses and keeps up in the current market, which will also directly benefit the BiH economy.”
The Igman Company manufactures small arms ammunition for civilian and military purposes and exports its products worldwide. Founded in 1950, in former Yugoslav times Igman produced up to 150 million rounds on an annual basis but after the Dayton Agreement because of a loss in the market the output dropped down to only 10% of this. Through Federation investment (the Federation Government is a 51% stakeholder) and an upward trend in the market, production has now increased to nearly 110 million rounds per annum.
EUFOR Joint Military Affairs are responsible for contributing to maintenance of the Safe and Secure Environment in BiH in order to achieve the Operation Althea end state by supervising BiH Defence Industries. Assessing the conduct and competence of ammunition inspection teams is a small but important element of this.