site.btaDefence Minister: Bulgarian Army Will Receive USD 15 Mln for Infrastructure Projects from US Government by Year-end

Defence Minister: Bulgarian Army Will Receive USD 15 Mln for Infrastructure Projects from US Government by Year-end


Veliko Turnovo, North Central Bulgaria, January 24 (BTA) - The
Bulgarian Army will receive 15 million dollars from the United
States government by the end of the year, Defence Minister
Nikolay Nenchev said in Veliko Turnovo on Saturday. The money
will go for investments such as rehabilitation of the Novo Selo
firing range, the Bezmer airfield and other infrastructure
projects.

By the end of the year Bulgaria should provide six 3D radars for
 the protection of air space according to its NATO commitments.
Joint exercises with NATO troops at Novo Selo and enhanced
presence in the Black Sea have been agreed by the end of the
year.

The Bulgarian Army, which currently numbers 29,000, will be
modernized and streamlined according to NATO standards.

By the end of the year 180 military will be detailed to the
southern border to provide logistical support to the Interior
Ministry. This will be done after they undergo training, Nenchev
 said.

The Defence Minister also explained that dozens of buildings
across the country which former military divisions no longer
need could be placed at the disposal of the Agency for Refugees.
 In addition, municipalities which want to acquire military
properties on their territory can only receive them if there is
undoubted evidence that they will be used for public needs and
will not be re-leased or sold.

Nenchev expects a gradual increase of the defence budget by 2
per cent by the end of the year to 77 million leva.

In Veliko Turnovo the Defence Minister met with Regional
Governor Pencho Penchev, Veliko Turnovo Mayor Daniel Panov and
the leadership of the Vasil Levski National Military University.
 An agreement was reached for the Defence Ministry to provide
50,000 leva for rehabilitation of the Military Club in Veliko
Turnovo.