Voting on March 7: Soldiers in the Armed Forces of BiH up to age 40

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - The proposed law on amendments to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be before the delegates of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH on March 7.

The Ministry of Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina proposes that the maximum length of service for soldiers be extended from the current 35 or 38 years of age to up to 40 years of age.

The proposed law on amendments to the Law on Service in the Armed Forces of BiH was established by the Council of Ministers of BiH at the proposal of the Ministry of Defence of BiH, in order to align with the conclusion of the Joint Commission for Defence and Security of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH.

In the next 10 years, BiH needs to invest 500 million KM in the modernisation of the army and equipment. This year alone, 65 million KM should be invested. This includes the procurement of new helicopters, transporters, and other weapons and military equipment.

If adopted, extending the service of soldiers up to the age of 40 should ensure easier filling of positions for members of the Armed Forces of BiH.

Earlier, the proposers explained that NATO has no negative opinion on the proposed law and that each country decides on this independently.

The said proposal of the Ministry of Defence of BiH simultaneously prescribes the procedure for extending contracts in terms of meeting psychophysical standards, which, as stated by the Council of Ministers of BiH, will enable the continuous readiness of soldiers in performing tasks.