site.btaDefence Ministers of Bulgaria, Germany Sign Programme Agreement for Joint Purchase of IRIS-T Missile Systems

Bulgarian caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius signed a programme agreement between the defence ministries of the two countries for the joint purchase of IRIS-T SLM missile systems under the Memorandum of Understanding on the joint purchase of ground-based air defence systems within the framework of the European Sky Shield Initiative. The document was signed during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Ramstein, Germany, on Friday, Zapryanov’s ministry said in a press release.

The resolution on an investment expenditure on the purchase of IRIS-T missile systems was passed by Bulgarian Parliament on August 8, 2024. The reasons to the resolution point out that the threats arising from the volatile security environment presuppose an enhancement of the requirements to the air defence systems with regard to building and maintaining capabilities to guarantee the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity. This necessitates the participation of the air defence elements in the NATO and EU Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. To accomplish its air defence mission assignments, the Bulgarian Air Force must have state-of-the-art system meeting the new challenges. The implementation of the project for the acquisition of air defence missile systems improves the capabilities of the air defence to impact both manned and unmanned air offensive means possessing state-of-the-art flying and combat capabilities. The reasons point out that the implementation of the project would lead to the acquisition of multichannel anti-aircraft missile systems, which will increase manifold the possibilities to deter air offensive means of various classes and types.

On Friday, Zapryanov and Pistorius also discussed key defence issues as well as opportunities for expanding and upgrading military cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

While seeking joint solutions in support of Ukraine during the meeting in Ramstein, a bilateral discussion between the delegations of Bulgaria and Ukraine was held. Zapryanov reaffirmed Bulgaria’s readiness to continue to support Ukraine according to the decisions of the National Assembly.