The OSCE Mission to Montenegro and the Ministry of Defence concluded a six-year project, with an overall worth of approximately €1,5 million, to strengthen the Armed Forces' capacity to manage ammunition safely, prevent fires and respond to emergencies. The conclusion was marked by a firefighting exercise at the Knjaz Danilo military airport in Podgorica on 22 October, showcasing some of the skills and capabilities developed through the project.
Over six years, the project supported training in ammunition life-cycle management, the safe transportation of dangerous goods, fire prevention and firefighting, search and rescue, response in hazardous environments, and medical first aid. It also provided specialized equipment, established training facilities, and supported improvements to operating procedures and ammunition storage infrastructure.
Key achievements include the establishment of a fully equipped ammunition management training centre and a dedicated firefighting training area, alongside improved procedures for managing ammunition and preventing accidents.
Additionally, the project delivered an impressive 31 workshops and the training courses attended by 265 participants, including 53 women. It also strengthened the Armed Forces' ability to transport dangerous goods safely in line with international standards. Ten military drivers received certification, and two certified trucks were donated to support the safe transportation of ammunition and other dangerous goods.
In 2023 and 2026, with additional technical expertise provided by the Swedish Civil Defence and Resilience Agency, the Mission delivered specialized training in firefighting, search and rescue, response in hazardous environments and medical first aid to 140 military personnel, including 26 women.
To ensure that these capacities remain in place beyond the project's completion, the Mission adopted a training-of-trainers approach. Eight firefighting instructors and eight medical first aid instructors were certified and have already trained approximately 50 personnel in firefighting and 60 in first aid. This multiplier effect enables the Armed Forces to continue delivering training independently and to expand their emergency response capabilities over time.
The project's impact was particularly evident during the severe wildfires of 2025. Military personnel trained through the Mission's emergency response programme were deployed alongside civilian firefighters, strengthening response capacity and co-ordination during complex emergencies. Importantly, no ammunition storage facilities in high-risk forested areas were affected by the fires, highlighting the value of preventive measures and improved emergency preparedness.
"The results of this project reflect what we can achieve through co-operation, sustained partnership, and trust. As the Mission and Montenegro mark 20 years of partnership, this project is a one of many examples of how our joint efforts can strengthen national capacities, improve safety, and help protect communities," said the Head of the OSCE Mission to Montenegro, Ambassador Jan Haukaas.
"The co-operation achieved through this project was not limited only to the provision of equipment. The transfer of knowledge, expertise and good practices is an equally important and lasting contribution, which enables us to further improve our own capacities and apply high safety standards in our daily work," said the State Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Sandra Radević. She thanked the OSCE Mission, donor countries and international partners for their contribution, stressing the importance of continued co-operation in areas of common interest.
Launched in November 2020, the project was funded by Austria, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Slovakia, Norway, Montenegro and Switzerland. Its results demonstrate how sustained international co-operation, investment in specialized equipment, and the development of national expertise can deliver lasting improvements in ammunition safety, emergency preparedness and the protection of communities across Montenegro.
