The Bulgarian state and the German technology concern “Rheinmetall“ will announce the start of the project for the construction of a gunpowder and ammunition plant tomorrow at an official ceremony at the Council of Ministers, the government press center reports. Before that, the delegation, led by the CEO of “Rheinmetall“ Armin Paperger and the director of the “Weapons and Ammunition“ department of the concern Roman Köhne, was welcomed by the leader of GERB Boyko Borisov at the VIP terminal of the Sofia airport.
The project is of strategic importance not only for Bulgaria, but also for the whole of Europe. The investment of nearly 1 billion leva is among the most significant in recent years and is a key step in the modernization of the Bulgarian defense industry. It is also part of the efforts of the European Union and NATO to strengthen the defense capabilities and strategic autonomy of Europe in the context of the changed geopolitical environment, the press release also says.
Economic growth, development of latest generation production facilities and nearly 1,000 new highly qualified jobs are just some of the benefits for Bulgaria from the implementation of the project. With the construction of the plant, our country will restore a key element of its defense capacity and strengthen its positions in the European defense industry. The innovative plant for the production of gunpowder and 155-mm artillery shells and modular charging systems will be implemented through a joint venture between “Rheinmetall“ and VMZ-Sopot, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports.
The contract will be signed personally by the CEO of “Rheinmetall“ Armin Paperger and the director of the “Weapons and Ammunition“ department of the concern Roman Köhne. On the Bulgarian side, the contract will be signed by the CEO of VMZ Ivan Getsov. The ceremony will be attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov.