Turkish aircraft soon to conduct observation flight over BiH in international action under 'Open Skies' treaty

(Patria) - The Ministry of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina informs the public that, in the period from June 15 to 19, 2026, a new planned observation flight under the 'Open Skies' Treaty will be conducted over our country.

The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces of BiH, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of BiH, the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH, and the Sarajevo International Airport, will carry out an observation flight of the Republic of Turkey with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Slovak Republic over Bosnia and Herzegovina, in accordance with the provisions of the international 'Open Skies' Treaty.

Citizens are informed that this is an announced activity, during which the aircraft crew and international inspectors will be joined by a supporting team from the Armed Forces of BiH and the Ministry of Communications and Transport of BiH, and that there is no need for any concern.

The observation flight will be conducted by an aircraft from the air force of the Republic of Turkey. The recording of the territory is carried out using sensors certified in accordance with the provisions of the Treaty, after they have been inspected by the competent specialists of the Armed Forces of BiH. The exact time of implementation and the trajectory of the observation flight will be agreed upon during joint preparations, following the arrival of the delegation at the Sarajevo International Airport.

The 'Open Skies' Treaty represents one of the security arrangements that allows member states to record the territory of the country over which the observation flight is conducted, with the aim of obtaining data on military forces and their activities. The purpose of the Treaty is to build and develop trust among members. Bosnia and Herzegovina acceded to this Treaty in 2003. Since then, in cooperation with other members, it has actively participated in the implementation of observation flights, both over the territory of BiH and over the territories of other member states.