03.06.2016.

New plant opens in Prva Iskra in Baric

Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, Minister of Defence Zoran Djordjevic and Serbian Armed Forces Chief of General Staff General Ljubisa Dikovic with associates, have attended today the opening of the new plant of Prva Iskra – special purpose production factory in Baric. They visited the factory of the special purpose industry dealing with the production of explosives and one of the key factories in the Serbian Defence Industry Group, accompanied by Director of the company Stanoje Biocanin.

Speaking about the significance of today’s visit, Prime Minister Vucic said that it was a factory that was once the pride of the Serbian defence industry, which was damaged in 1999 and affected by terrible tragedy that occurred in 2006 and took three lives.

- We managed to restore the most modern plant for the production of high explosives with our own funds, and another plant would re-start operation from 1st September. The defence industry cannot produce as much as the demand is. Even if we could produce ten times more, we would sell it, but we do not have the capacity. Therefore, we are trying to increase our capacities – Vucic said, announcing the possibility of starting the plant for the production of nitric acid in the defence industry factory in Lucani, which would contribute to more efficient work of the defence industry.

The Prime Minister also expressed his satisfaction because the defence industry has seen progress for the better, as well as the entire manufacturing industry.

- Investment in the defence industry is of vital interest to the citizens of the Republic of Serbia. Not only that we are strengthening our

defence capabilities in this way, but we, above all, are strengthening our industry, providing the employment of people and better living standard for all citizens – Vucic said.

The building that has now been put into operation was first destroyed in NATO bombing, and after renovation it was destroyed again in an explosion in 2006. The restoration began in 2011, in accordance with the financial capabilities of the company. It is the facility that was primarily intended for the synthesis of octogen and hexogen and its commissioning will double the capacity for processing of the disassembled explosives based on hexogen and octogen, which is enough to meet the complete demand of domestic producers for explosive devices, as well as for export.

The company Prva Iskra – special purpose production Ltd. Baric has invested into the facility approximately USD 1.8 million, with design and engineering realised with own resources.