site.btaPM Calls for Full Transparency in Fighter Jet Purchase Deal, Wants New rather than Secondhand Aircraft

116 - DEFENCE - PM - NEW AIRCRAFT

PM Calls for Full Transparency in
Fighter Jet Purchase Deal, Wants
New rather than Secondhand Aircraft


Sofia, October 2 (BTA) - In a commentary for the press here Tuesday, Prime Minister Boyko Borissov said that Bulgaria needs full transparency about the competition for acquisition of a new type of fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force and also that he prefers new to secondhand aircraft. Borissov was quoted by his press office.

On October 1, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry opened four offers it had received from three countries in the aircraft acquisition procedure. The first two offers are by the US for the acquisition of a new F-18 and a new F-16 jets, the third offer is for a new Gripen jet from Sweden and the fourth offer was for secondhand Eurofighter jets from Italy.

Borissov commented that the jets should be suitable for combat as well - not just for air policing.

He said that he has spoken to Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov and asked him to make sure the pilots who will be flying the new jets, are also involved in the decision-making.

It transpired on Monday as the offers were being opened, that they will first be assessed by a military-technical commission and then by a political-military commission. Based on their assessments, the Defence Minister will make a political decision to advise the government with which country to begin negotiations on the preparations of an agreement. RY/LN/
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