site.btaCabinet Approves Programme on Long-term Modernization of Army by 2020

Cabinet Approves
Programme on Long-term
Modernization of Army by 2020


Sofia, October 1 (BTA) - The Government approved the national
programme "Bulgaria in NATO and in European Defence 2020" as a
long-term strategy for modernization of the armed forces, the
Cabinet's press service said. The document provides guidelines
for achieving real capabilities of the army for a period of six
to ten years to guarantee the national security within NATO's
collective defence and the common European defence.

The national programme proposes a consensus on an increase of
the expenditures on defence in the next six years, so that they
could reach 2 per cent of GDP, as at least 20 per cent will be
for investments and capabilities. The expenditures should reach
1.5 per cent of GDP already in 2015, so as to guarantee real
security and increase by 0.1 per cent every following year.

The document envisages the establishment of a targeted
Intelligent Defence State Fund for rearmament. The fund is
expected to be financed mostly through revenues from the
effective management and sale of corporeal immovables of the
Defence and the Armed Forces. Its operation will be regulated by
the Defence and Armed Forces Act and the effective legal
framework.

It also provides for the setting up of a defence cluster of
undertakings, institutes and companies in charge of the
implementation of the national programme. This cluster will work
for the development of an innovative capacity within NATO and
EU programmes. A mechanism of monitoring and risk management at
the level of Parliament, Government and Defence Ministry is
envisaged.

The programme outlines the key investment projects for
rearmament by priorities. The projects envisage the purchase of
a new multifunctional war plane and integrated logistic support;
upgrading of frigates E-71, acquisition of a new type of a
modular patrol ship, technical systems for strategic
intelligence, cyberprotection, etc.

The national programme has been drafted in line with a September
4 decision of the Government and on the basis of the document
entitled "Vision: Bulgaria in NATO and in European Defence
2020". adopted by the Council of Ministers' Security Council and
presented at the NATO summit in Wales. /PK/TK/