site.btaBulgaria Has Received BGN 69,749 in Penalties for Delay in Delivery of Helicopters for Emergency Air Assistance

So far, Bulgaria has received BGN 69,749 in penalties for the delay in the delivery of helicopters for emergency air assistance, said Minister of Health Silvi Kirilov during the parliamentary control on Friday.

According to the contract signed on March 27, 2023 with the manufacturer Leonardo for the delivery and warranty service of six helicopters equipped with the necessary equipment for the needs of emergency assistance, it is stressed that in the event of delay in the contractor's obligations, the latter pays a penalty for each day of delay, but not more than 3% of the price of the respective delayed delivery. "By letter dated December 6, 2024, Leonardo has notified the Ministry of Health that it anticipates delivery of the second helicopter by February 28, 2025, and the third helicopter by March 31", Kirilov said.

According to the manufacturer, the reason is a delay in procuring key components. Leonardo has informed the Ministry of Health that it expects the second helicopter to be in Bulgaria in late February or early March, depending on weather conditions. For the third helicopter, technical execution at the factory is expected to start in mid-March.

"The penalty for the second helicopter, if delivered by the end of February, is BGN 335,897, and for the third, if delivered by March 31 2025, will be BGN 165,195", Kirilov further said. According to him, at the moment Leonardo has not informed about any risks of delay and the remaining helicopters are expected by April 2026 at the latest.

In March 2024, an additional agreement for the delivery of two more helicopters has been signed and their production has been ordered. Kirilov clarified the additional two helicopters should be delivered to Bulgaria between April and June 2026.