site.btaUPDATED Possibility of Bulgaria Joining Operation in Red Sea Mulled - Defence Minister Tagarev

The possibility of Bulgaria joining the operation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden is being discussed, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev told journalists here Wednesday. 

"Bulgaria is one of the most affected countries by what is happening in this region. Although we are not a naval power, we have a direct interest and we will look for a way to contribute to this operation. This is a big problem for shipping in general and many countries have joined this operation. It is for the purpose of ensuring the security of shipping and against these acts of terrorism," added Minister Tagarev.

"We are ready to participate," the Minister said. He pointed out that constant communication is maintained about the situation of the Bulgarians. The Bulgarian sailors are in good condition, Tagarev said. 

A Malta-flagged, Bulgarian-owned bulk carrier was boarded mid-December in the eastern Indian Ocean, Reuters said quoting British maritime security company Ambrey. Later on it emerged that the ship is Ruen with eight Bulgarians among its 18-member multinational crew.

Another ship, the Galaxy Leader, with Bulgarian crew was reported hijacked in the Red Sea last month. 

Reuters quoted last week U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin as saying that several countries have agreed to jointly carry out patrols in the southern Red Sea and Gulf of Aden to try to safeguard commercial shipping against attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Austin, who was on a trip to Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy's headquarters in the Middle East, said participating countries led by the United States include the United Kingdom, Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles and Spain. "This is an international challenge that demands collective action. Therefore today I am announcing the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian, an important new multinational security initiative," Austin said in a statement last Tuesday, quoted by Reuters.

Defence spending

"The current Government has continued the plan to increase defence spending and we are planning for just over 2% of GDP to be directed towards defence next year," Tagarev also told journalists here on Wednesday. 

He added that the budget framework for the coming years is to maintain a level of at least 2%. According to him, this is a "very serious" resource provision and the question before the Ministry's team is how best to spend the growing resources. Tagarev also pointed out that the three major modernisation projects of the Bulgarian army are being implemented at different stages.

"We are very close to concluding a contract for modern 3D radars, and in the coming years the priority will be missile and air defence systems, building new infrastructure, creating a divisional headquarters and continuing investments in the Land Forces,"
the Minister explained.

In the future, investments will be made in the development of new solutions, development and research, Todor Tagarev added.

Defence Minister participated in a commemorative ceremony in Karlovo, held on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the Kerbala attack.