site.btaInterior Minister: Anti-drone Protection Turns into Significant Issue for Both Airports, Strategic Sites

The issue of anti-drone protection has recently become quite significant for both airports and strategic sites in Bulgaria and solutions should be sought in this regard, Interior Minister Daniel Mitov said in Samokov (Southwest Bulgaria) on Thursday. He visited local company Samel-90 AD, which produces electronic communication equipment.

Mitov met with Samel-90 Managing Director Petar Georgiev. The Minister was accompanied by Interior Ministry's Sofia Directorate Director Tihomir Tsenov, Border Police Director Anton Zlatanov, Interior Minister's advisor Todor Proychev and Gendarmerie, Special Operations and Combating Terrorism General Directorate Director Nikolay Nikolov.

"We have to pay attention to Bulgarian producers who have a serious capacity and have entered the world markets," Mitov told the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He said it is often forgotten in Bulgaria that there are enterprises and entrepreneurs with the capacity to produce this type of equipment and develop technologies that are world-class. He said this was the reason he visited the Samel-90 company - to see the capabilities, capacity and what it produces. The Interior Minister reminded that in the future, when changes in legislation are needed, it will be considered what kind of equipment will be used and in what way. 

The Samel-90 Managing Director presented the company's capabilities and products. It was founded in 1964 with the main purpose of manufacturing electronic communication equipment for the needs of the Bulgarian Land Forces. Over time the company expanded its activities and nowadays offers products for both military and civilian use. For the civil sector the company produces LED lighting, technical ceramics and mechanical components. 

Among the military products, anti-drone systems, kamikaze combat drones, radio jammers and armoured vehicles stand out. 

During the visit, Georgiev demonstrated Samel-90's latest developments, including the Samjet kamikaze combat drone. This drone is designed to strike ground targets, capable of carrying an explosive payload of three to five kilograms and reaching targets over 40 kilometers away. Its innovative system allows controlled landing without detonation if the target is not detected, minimizing the risk of unwanted damage. 

The Managing Director also presented the company's anti-drone systems, which are used to detect and jam enemy drones. These systems have been deployed in various countries, including the Middle East, where they have proven their effectiveness. 

Representatives of the Ministry of the Interior also toured the newly built SamElyon complex. 

Afterwards, they also held a meeting with Samokov Mayor Angel Dzhortov. Asked what they discussed, Mitov told BTA that the topic of the meeting was security in the country's winter resorts.