site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov: Armed Forces Modernization Needs Urgent Speed-up

"Conditions of urgency prompt the need to speed up the modernization of our armed forces," Bulgarian caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said, addressing said here on Wednesday, addressing the opening of the 16th International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition "HEMUS 2024".

His Ministry continues to focus its efforts on the implementation of the modernization projects for the Bulgarian Armed Forces. Among those with the highest priority, he singled out the acquisition of a new type of combat aircraft for the Air Force and the acquisition of multi-role modular patrol craft for the Navy.

At the end of 2023, the National Assembly ratified a contract for the acquisition of major equipment needed for the formation of mechanized-brigade-size battlegroups, Zapryanov said. The Ministry is also working hard on the implementation of the projects for acquisition of new 3D radars, of coastal anti-ship missile systems and of medium-range anti-aircraft systems.

"The resurgence of a high-intensity international conflict on Europe's territory put to a test our defence readiness and showed us the importance of prompt decision making," the Defence Minister commented. In his words, this also dictated a tendency for an increase of defence spending and of the global demand for new armaments and hardware, as well as for maintaining the member countries' stockpiles. "The Ministry of Defence actively supports the participation of representatives of the Bulgarian industry and military research organizations in innovation projects of the European Defence Fund, the NATO Defence Innovation Fund and the Defence Innovation Accelerator for the North Atlantic (DIANA)," Zapryanov pointed out. He added that support is also rendered to the initiatives intended to motivate Member States to cooperate in the field of prompt deliveries, such as the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through Common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) and the future European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP).