site.btaUPDATED Defence Minister: Modernization of Land Forces Is Main Priority but Lagging Behind

Defence Minister: Modernization of Land Forces Is Main Priority but Lagging Behind
Defence Minister: Modernization of Land Forces Is Main Priority but Lagging Behind
Defence Minister Todor Tagarev (BTA Photo)

Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said here Monday that the modernization of the Land Forces is lagging behind. "The modernization of the Land Forces, which is one of my main priorities, is too far behind," he told journalists after participating in the opening of the new academic year at the Rakovski National Defence College. 

Commenting the US State Department's approval of the potential sale of Stryker combat vehicles to Bulgaria for an estimated cost of USD 1,5 billion, Tagarev said that the procedure officially launched in May. A request has been sent to the US with specific parameters. The potential sale has been approved by the Pentagon and the State Department, and Congress is expected to have the final say, the Minister said. According to Tagarev, this is the maximum quantity of equipment and the maximum price, and it is for new machines only. "We are expecting a US delegation soon so that a review can be made - what we want, what we can give up, etc.," Tagarev clarified.

Later on Monday, Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov commented that the talks on the purchase of combat vehicles could not begin without a resolution by the Bulgarian National Assembly and the US Congress. "The important thing is that we have a political agreement, and financial means have been allocated for the modernization of all the main elements of the Bulgarian defence," he added.

Denkov was adamant that Bulgaria urgently needs to modernize its army and that these financial investments will be useful for the country for decades to come.

/MR/

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By 09:20 on 04.08.2024 Today`s news

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