site.btaGovernment Proposes to Parliament to Approve Purchase of Ground Force Vehicles and Air Force Jets

Sofia, May 16 (BTA) - The Council of Ministers proposes to the National Assembly to approve a project for the purchase of vehicles for the Ground Forces and fighter jets for the Air Force, Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said on Wednesday.

The Ground Forces project is worth 1.464 billion leva (including VAT), payable over a period of 12 years. It stipulates the acquisition of necessary licences and the manufacture of 150 vehicles in Bulgaria. The idea is that the Bulgarian defence industry should become involved in the project to the highest degree possible, with maintenance and upgrading also to be carried out in this country, Karakachanov said.

As for the Air Force, the proposal is to buy at least eight fighter jets for a total of 1.8 billion leva (including VAT), payable over a period of 10 years. Past bidders will be among the companies to be invited to take part in the new bidding procedure. Six companies have shown interest in the fighter jet project so far, the Defence Minister said, adding that both used and new jets may be considered. He noted: "I hope that by the end of this year we will have signed the contract or will have come close to that. There will be no political or geopolitical preferences. The best offer in terms of prices, maintenance and armament will be chosen."

"RSK MiG will not be invited, because there are international sanctions against Russia, and also because the aircraft must meet EU and NATO standards," Karakachanov said, taking a journalist's question.