National Assembly adopted a decision on investment expenditure on the project of acquiring anti-aircraft missiles. The decision was taken with 133 votes “ against “ and two “ abstentions.
The investment cost for the project is BGN 356,184,633 (EUR 182,114,311) excluding VAT. In the reasons for the decision, it is stated that the funds are for the 1 number of “lRlS-T SLM" requested by the Bulgarian side. with a total value of 182,114,311 euros (356,184,633 BGN).
Additionally, there is an option to purchase up to five “1RlS-T SLM" and on one long range system “lRlS-T SLX", it is pointed out in the reasons for the decision.
The reasons for the decision state that the threats arising from the dynamically changing security environment offer an increase in the requirements for air defense systems (ADF) in terms of building and maintaining capabilities to guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. This necessitates the participation of air defense formations in the NATO and EU Integrated Air Defense System. The execution of the tasks under the Defense mission“ require the Air Force to have modern systems that meet the new challenges. It is indicated that by implementing the Project “Acquisition of anti-aircraft missile systems“ the capabilities of the Air Defense Forces to influence air attack vehicles (manned and unmanned) possessing modern flight and combat capabilities are being improved. It is noted that the implementation of the project would lead to the acquisition of multi-channel anti-aircraft missile systems (SAMS), which will multiply the possibilities of deterring air attack means of different classes and types. The reasons state that by its decision the Council of Ministers has approved the draft Memorandum of Understanding regarding the purchase of ground-based air defense systems within the framework of the “Shield of the European Sky” as a basis for negotiations and authorized the Minister of Defense to conduct the negotiations and sign the Memorandum. In this regard, in the period July 22-24, 2024, workshops were held at the Ministry of Defense with representatives of the Federal Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany and the German company “Diehl Defence" on acquisition of ground air defense systems “lRlS-T” within the Initiative “Shield of the European Sky“ (ESSl).
The purpose of the meetings was to reach agreement on the texts of a draft Program Agreement between the defense ministries of the two countries and a draft Addendum to the existing supply contract with “DiehI Defence" for the acquisition of air defense systems “lRlS-T'. The signing of a program agreement between the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Bulgaria and the Federal Ministry of Defense of the Federal Republic of Germany will provide an opportunity for our country to benefit from the terms of the already concluded contract for the supply of the Federal Ministry of Defense with the manufacturer "Diehl Defence". it is said in the reasons for the adopted decision.