site.btaParliament Approves Projects on New Fighters, Patrol Ships

Parliament Approves Projects on New Fighters, Patrol Ships

Sofia, June 2 (BTA) - The National Assembly approved a project for investing in "the acquisition of a new-type fighter aircraft" and "the acquisition of a multipurpose module patrol ship for the Navy".

The groups of BSP-Left Bulgaria and Ataka did not support the project. The Patriotic Front did not take part in the vote on the project of the new patrol ships. The discussions continued for more than four hours.

"This is a historic moment because the Parliament's decision will guarantee the combat worthiness of the Bulgarian army for the next 30 years," Defence Minister Nikolai Nenchev commented. The Bulgarian army is "suffocated" by old Soviet arms and needs a new beginning, he stated.

Later, the Minister commented before journalists that the money for the fist two instalments within the two projects (around 80 million for the ships and about 10 million leva for the fighters, respectively) has been approved. Nenchev voiced hope that the first fighters would be delivered in the end of 2018 or the beginning of 2019.

Atanas Zafirov (BSP Left Bulgaria) noted that the purchase of 16 planes will cost 2,500 million leva (payable in two stages) given that the country has 15 MiG-29 with a service life by 2029. "Where will you take the money from," he asked Minister Nenchev.

Angel Naydenov (BSP Left Bulgaria), a former defence minister in the cabinet of prime minister Plamen Oresharski, said that he supports the projects irrespective of the position of his parliamentary group. He noted that the technological difference between Bulgaria and its partners has already evolved into a gap and, therefore measures should be undertaken to overcome it. However, he commented that there is a lack of clarity regarding the financing of the projects.

Iliyan Todorov (Ataka) said that the old aircraft, which will be purchased, will also undergo repair. It is not possible for Ataka to support these projects, he noted.

National Assembly Defence Committee Chairman Valentin Radev (GERB) said that MiG-29 is an antiquated model and does not meet the NATO standards.

Peter Slavov (Reformist Bloc) said that the costs for new equipment by 2030 are lower than the ones for the maintenance of the MiG fighters.

Krassimir Karakachanov of the Patriotic Front said that the state of the aviation is a cause of great concern, as is the state of the infantry and of the navy. The MP argued that the needs of all types of forces need to be assessed and then to decide what can be afforded. He took a stand against the two patrol ships that are planned to be built.

Yanko Yankov of the Movement for Rights and Freedoms said that the aircraft Bulgaria has are not enough even for the air policing. He said that about 30 pilots and as many aircraft are needed for air policing alone, which justifies supporting the projects for the modernization of the armed forces.

Rossen Petrov of the Bulgarian Democratic Centre spoke in favour of the projects.

Gen. Miho Mikov of the ABV Movement said the formation categorically supports both projects and is waiting for the third, in respect of the Land Forces. Mihov said that given that the link with the manufacturer of the MiG-29 jet fighters has been severed, this is one more justification for the purchase of new fighters. He said that the everyday problems in the Black Sea are not solved by frigates but by the faster corvettes which are currently being discussed.

Passing two separate bills amending to the Privatization and Post-privatization Control Act at first reading Parliament decided that two ordinance plants: VMZ EAD in Sopot, Central Bulgaria, and Kintex EAD in Sofia, are to be included in the list of companies banned from privatization. Both bills, one moved by MP Manol Genov and a group of MPs, and one moved by the cabinet, propose the inclusion of the two plants in the list.

The bill moved by Genov includes one more ordnance plant to be added to the list: Niti EAD, in Kazanluk, Central Bulgaria.

The sponsors of the two bills argue that the companies suggested to be included in the list are in good financial state, pay off their obligations, work at full capacity and have increased the salaries. In addition, VMZ and Kintex are structure-determining enterprises in the military-industrial complex and are an important element of the national security and economy. Keeping them wholly state-owned will ensure Bulgaria's presence on strategic markets, the sponsors of the bills reason.