site.btaBulgarian Delegation To Negotiate Acquisition of Fighters Jets in Washington DC

104 DEFENSE - MINISTER - COMMENTS

Bulgarian Delegation To Negotiate
Acquisition of Fighters Jets
in Washington DC


Sofia, May 4 (BTA) - A Bulgarian delegation, including representatives of the Defense Ministry, the Air Force, the Finance Ministry and the Economy Ministry, will travel to Washington DC on May 7 for negotiations on the acqusition of new fighter jets, said Minister of Defense Krassimir Karakachanov on Saturday. He held a videoconference with Bulgarian military contingents involved in operations and missions abroad.

"We have to stick to the price fixed by Parliament, without compromising the combat capabilities of the planes. The issues of budget and payment method are also important. We have set up a principle similar to Slovakia and will pay in five or six equal installments to avoid any difficulty, even though the money is provided," Karakachanov explained.

Negotiations will also include industrial co-operation, as 10 per cent of the contract value will be paid in the form of industrial co-operation, Karakachanov said. "We will propose the establishment of a pilot training center in Dolna Mitropoliya along with the restoration of the Air Force," he added.

"We will negotiate and if the conditions are not in our favour we will inform the public," the minister said. "We made a strategic decision, we made strategic choices, but they have to meet our financial capabilities as a state, as well as the requirements of the Air Force".

Karakachanov also commented on a project for the acquisition of new armored machines for the Land Forces. He said that he cannot comment on any deadlines, because of many subtleties related to industrial cooperation and with the participation of Bulgarian companies in the project. Things have slowed down by about 5 months, the Minister noted, but he is expecting a development.

Offers for the acquisition of new navy patrol vessels have need submitted, but Karakachanov did not comment on them, explaining that they are being revised by a commission and are still confidential for now.

In response to a question, Minister Karakachanov said that he is partially satisfied with what has been done for the army, recalling that for the past two years the salaries of servicemen have been raised twice, ambitious projects for the modernization of the three types of armed forces have been initiated, as well as repairs of the existing equipment. The minister added that even more will be done if possible, including another salary increase next year and concluding contracts for the three projects. LY/DT




/DT/