site.btaDefence Committee Approves Investments in Purchase of New Type of Fighter, Patrol Ship for Navy

Defence Committee Approves Investments in Purchase of New Type of Fighter, Patrol Ship for Navy

Sofia, May 26 (BTA) - The National Assembly Defence Committee adopted a decision on the adoption of a project for investing in "the acquisition of a new type of a fighter" and "the acquisition of a multipurpose module patrol ship for the Navy".

The decision for a new type of a fighter was backed by 11 Committee members. One MP abstained. The project for the acquisition of a new fighter is large-scale and complex including not only the acquisition of the planes and the armament but also everything necessary for the efficient operation of the machines during their service life. The project will consist of two stages. The first stage involves the acquisition of eight or, if the budget allows, more fighters in the 2018-2021 period. The second stage envisages acquisition of another eight planes by 2023. The financial allocation for the first stage is 1,500 million leva.

Independent MP Velizar Enchev asked whether it is necessary to consider such project at this moment. "The Bulgarian MiG-29 have 14 more years of service life and rather than investing in other old fighters, it would be more reasonable to fully utilize this operational resource," Enchev stated. Atanas Zafirov from BSP-Left Bulgaria said he does not see how the project will be financed.

The Air Force Commander, Gen. Roumen Radev, noted that the service life pertains only to the structure and not to the engines, for example. Gen. Radev also noted that the issues of modernization and compatibility are related to having a computer system on board, a modern radar, self-protection system, an information exchange system, etc.

The package price includes not only the aircraft but also ground equipment, simulation systems, axillary equipment, armament and training, Radev also said.

Defence Minister Nikolai Nenchev said that, if a decision on upgrading MiG-29 is taken, the costs will be almost the same as the ones for buying new aircraft.

The Defence Committee approved the project for investing in the acquisition of two multi-purpose module patrol ships for the Bulgarian Navy with ten votes in favour and three abstentions.

The two ships should have the capability to participate in the full spectre of NATO's military operations, and should replace the military vessels produced in Russia that are not compatible operationally and cannot be modernized, the reasoning reads.

The Navy Commander, Counter Admiral Mitko Petev, said that the Navy's state is not satisfactory and a crisis situation will ensue if this project is not implemented. The Navy currently has six military ships and three frigates, one of which is not operational due to lack of financial resources, he noted.