Europe’s defence industry is facing a fundamental challenge: technological capability alone is no longer enough. The ability to manufacture at scale, secure resilient supply chains, increase output when demand rises and sustain production over time is becoming a strategic requirement.
This is the context in which AKM Group-CZ visited defence-industry events in Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The objective was clear: to establish contacts with potential industrial partners and explore opportunities for manufacturing cooperation in areas including artillery barrels, selfpropelled howitzer systems and main battle tanks.
Italy: an industrial base with strong potential for cooperation
Italy has a substantial industrial base spanning land systems, mechanical engineering and defence technologies. Its capabilities make the country a relevant market for identifying partners for future industrial programmes involving heavy weapon systems and critical components.
The direction is particularly relevant as European countries increase defence spending while also seeking to expand production capacity and strengthen the resilience of their defence-industrial bases.
Italian industry has been increasingly visible at major European defence exhibitions, with a growing focus on artillery and advanced land systems. At Eurosatory 2026, for example, Leonardo presented 155 mm and 120 mm ammunition, the VBM 155 wheeled 155 mm self-propelled artillery system and developments related to Italy’s next-generation main battle tank programme.
For AKM Group-CZ, such events provide more than an overview of new equipment. They offer an opportunity to examine industrial capabilities, technological expertise and existing manufacturing chains — and to identify where cooperation between companies can create additional production capacity and market value.
In June 2026, Italy announced plans to increase defence and security expenditure to approximately 2.8% of GDP. At the same time, the country continued efforts to strengthen its defence-industrial base.
This combination of established industrial capabilities, technological expertise and growing demand creates a relevant environment for long-term production programmes.
A particular point of interest for AKM was the Machiavelli Defense Forum 2026, held in Rome on 8 June. The event brought together military leaders, defence-industry representatives and international experts.
One of the central issues facing the sector today is how to combine technological development with production scale and resilient supply chains. For AKM, these are also key criteria when evaluating potential industrial partners.
Manufacturing capacity, technological competence, readiness for cooperation and the ability to scale output must be considered together — particularly when developing programmes intended to serve international markets.
Bosnia and Herzegovina: industrial capabilities and new contacts
Bosnia and Herzegovina represents another area of interest for AKM Group-CZ.
The First Balkan Shield Industrial Expo & Summit took place in Sarajevo from 1 to 4 September 2026. As the first international defence-industry exhibition of this scale in the country, it brought together manufacturers, technology companies and government representatives.
For AKM, the significance of the event extended beyond the exhibition floor. It provided an opportunity to examine the country’s industrial capabilities, establish B2B and B2G contacts and assess potential routes for cooperation and international market access.
Among the developments presented were plans for the development and production of a domestic 155 mm NATO-standard self-propelled howitzer, the production of artillery barrels currently in short supply, and 155 mm artillery ammunition. Modern mortar systems in 81 mm, 82 mm and 120 mm calibres were also presented.
Bosnia and Herzegovina is also planning to establish two new defence-industry plants.
The country’s potential for AKM lies primarily in its industrial capabilities. Bosnia and Herzegovina has an established manufacturing base and long-standing expertise in heavy weapons, metalworking and mechanical engineering.
Combined with European technologies, industrial know-how and international supply channels, these capabilities could provide a basis for new forms of industrial cooperation.
The experience of prolonged and high-intensity conflicts has made one point increasingly clear: defence production must be capable of responding not only to current requirements, but also to sustained demand.
The market is therefore driven by more than the development of new technologies. It also requires the capacity to replenish ammunition stocks, restore and maintain equipment, and deliver sufficient volumes of artillery systems and armoured platforms.
For AKM Group-CZ, this creates an opportunity to move from individual sourcing activities towards structured international manufacturing cooperation — with production models capable of scaling in line with market requirements.
The visits to Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina are part of this process. The next stage is to turn professional contacts and assessments of industrial capabilities into concrete cooperation frameworks. AKM Group-CZ sees this direction as a potential new manufacturing programme: not simply the delivery of individual defence products, but the development of long-term international production and supply chains capable of supporting sustained market demand
