site.btaBulgaria Proposes Project for Monitoring Earth's Surface with Nanosatellite Tech for Needs of EU Military Missions, Operations

Bulgaria is proposing a project to monitor the Earth's surface using nanosatellite technology in the interest of EU military missions and operations. This was stated by the Bulgarian Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, during Tuesday's meeting of the European Union Military Committee in Budapest, the Ministry of Defence reported. 

Admiral Eftimov said that Bulgaria is proposing the inclusion in the European Defence Investment Programme (EDIP) for development a project on land surface surveillance using nanosatellite technology, which has a wide civilian application in addition to military ones. This will improve situational awareness for the benefit of EU military missions and operations, and not only. He noted that Bulgaria is developing a project for a constellation of satellites in low Earth orbit, which will allow monitoring of critical infrastructure, maritime, coastal and other areas, in order to provide early warning of potential crisis situations in the interest of national security and defence, as well as the security of Bulgaria's allies and partners. 

The meeting of the EU Military Committee started in Budapest on Monday. On the agenda are issues related to the implementation of the European Union's strategic defence objectives and other topical issues on the Common Security and Defence Policy agenda arising from the dynamic security environment.

On the third day of the event, October 16, the EU Chiefs of Defence will attend the high-level guest day of the BRAVE WARRIOR 2024 multinational exercise. The Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria are participating in the exercise with formations from the Air Force, one C-27J Spartan transport aircraft, one AS 532 Cougar helicopter, formations from the Joint Special Operations Command, and troops with medical equipment from the Military Medical Academy.