Košarac issues decision: BNT - Factory of Machines and Hydraulics Novi Travnik loses drone production license

(Patria) - Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH Staša Košarac has issued a decision revoking the drone production license of BNT - Factory of Machines and Hydraulics from Novi Travnik, after inspection findings determined that this legal entity violated a number of provisions of the Law on Production of Weapons and Military Equipment.

Misdemeanor proceedings will be initiated against the company BNT and the responsible person within this legal entity before competent judicial institutions, with a proposal for maximum fines due to established illegalities and irregularities in their operations.

Acting on Minister Košarac's order, the Inspectorate conducted regular and then extraordinary inspections in the past period, during which numerous illegalities and irregularities were found in BNT's activities related to drone production.

Inspection controls established that the actual quantities, as well as the technical and operational characteristics of the produced drones, do not correspond to the data stated in BNT's application for a permit to produce prototypes of the said equipment. Differences were noted, indicating that BNT significantly altered the technical and operational characteristics of the drones without prior notification to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH.

Inspection findings show that BNT continued drone production without legal basis, even after the expiration of the permit's validity period.

Irregularities were also found regarding subcontracting agreements concluded by BNT, which were not presented to the inspection authorities, nor submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of BiH within the legally prescribed deadline.

Given that actions contrary to valid legal regulations were established, Minister Košarac, in accordance with the Law on Production of Weapons and Military Equipment, issued a decision to revoke BNT's drone production license, and misdemeanor proceedings will also be initiated against the company.