site.btaParliamentary Budget and Finance Committee Backs Air Defence Missile Systems Acquisition

The National Assembly Committee on Budget and Finance Wednesday approved a Government-proposed draft parliamentary resolution on the adoption of an investment expenditure project for the acquisition of surface-to-air missile systems.

The resolution was moved by the Council of Ministers on August 1 and backed by the Defence Committee on Tuesday.

Presenting the project in Parliament, Caretaker Deputy Defence Minister Adelina Nikolova said it has been developed by her Ministry under the 2023 programme for the development of the Bulgarian Armed Forces’ capabilities, and provides for the acquisition of two long-range and eight medium-range surface-to-air missile systems and all necessary for their effective operation and maintenance. Nikolova noted that the project will be implemented in phases, given the considerable cost of the equipment.

The investment expenditure project has been developed based on agreements reached at meetings held in July with representatives of Germany’s Defence Ministry and the company Diehl Defence, which has been selected as the project’s contractor. One medium-range IRIS-T SLM system at the cost of BGN 356,184,633 will be purchased as part of the first stage of the project. It is expected to be delivered to Bulgaria in 34 months and become operational in 39 months after the conclusion of the contract.

If, at a later stage, the Defence Ministry has the necessary financial resources and a decision is made for the acquisition of additional surface-to-air missile systems, the relevant investment expenditure project will be submitted to the National Assembly for approval, Nikolova said.