site.btaPM Borissov: "Armed Forces' Current Modernization Unparalleled in 15 Years"

December 21 (BTA) - Visiting the TEREM - Khan Krum
Military Repair Works in Turgovishte (Northeastern Bulgaria) on
Monday, Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said, quoted by
the Government Information Service: "The current modernization
of the Bulgarian Armed Forces is unparalleled in 15 years. We
are working to NATO standards, doing everything necessary for
the military schools, the Air Force, Land Forces, Special
Operations Forces, infrastructure and airfields."

Earlier in December, the Government allocated 50 million leva in
 additional expenditures on the Defence Ministry's budget for
creating new and upgrading existing capabilities of the
Bulgarian Land Forces' T-72 tanks. The modernization project is
directly linked to the concept of building the defence
capability of a heavy brigade declared to NATO.

At the Khan Krum Works, Borissov was shown a prototype of a
modernized T-72, including replaced observation devices and an
integrated new fire control system and satellite communication
equipment.

According to www.mediapool.bg, the Defence Ministry is planning
to have Bulgaria's all 90 T-72 tanks modernized on the 50
million leva allocation. The repair of ten tanks in 2019 cost
822,000 leva before VAT each, so experts doubt that the amount
will suffice for this purpose. In September, National Radio
quoted Karakachanov as saying that 13 T-72 tanks had already
been repaired. Various sources put the cost of that repair at
over 5,140,000 leva. The new project, for modernization, is for
the first 40 T-72 tanks, the Deputy PM then said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Krassimir
Karakachanov reported to the Prime Minister on the performance
of a contract for the acquisition of two multi-role patrol ships
 for the Bulgarian Navy, signed with Germany's Fr. Lurssen Werft
 GmbH & Co.KG on November 12. Karakachanov also briefed Borissov
 on the progress of the other Armed Forces modernization
projects, with an emphasis on the purchase of F-16 fighters and
the airfields' infrastructure. NV/DD

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