„Risk for the deal between VMZ-Sopot and „Rheinmetall“ always exists, but not because of the actions of Radev or Borisov, but because at some point those who negotiate on the Bulgarian side may assess that the conditions set by „Rheinmetall“ may not be advantageous for Bulgaria.“ This was said in „This Morning“ on bTV by former Defense Minister Boyko Noev.
„Neither Radev's blue eyes nor Borisov's blue eyes are leading „Rheinmetall“ to Bulgaria. Such huge global companies do not come here out of sympathy. They are guided by their interests to win“, he added.
According to him, our country needs gunpowder factories because the Bulgarian defense industry, which is one of the largest in Europe, “is gasping“ for this raw material.
“Several factories are needed to satisfy Bulgaria's needs. However, the question is how this is organized“, Noev believes.
“The issue of the factory, which is being designed with “Rheinmetall“, is on the agenda. The statesman's approach requires that the details of such things not be discussed publicly, because this is not serious“, Boyko Noev also stated.
According to him, the conditions under which these plants are built are very important.
“We will pay with loans, but these loans will have to be returned. They are on very favorable terms, but this money will be paid by our children and grandchildren“, the former Minister of Defense specified.
“We do not know what other commitments Bulgaria will make, except for paying a significant amount - 560 million. We are only talking about the gunpowder plant. Bulgaria does not need a second plant for 155-millimeter shells. VMZ-Sopot can now produce them in large quantities for our needs“, said Boyko Noev.
According to him, this issue is politicized.
„On the one hand, Borisov is politicizing it and people are probably asking themselves what his business is to go to Germany and negotiate for a plant. After all, we have a government and a prime minister. He has been turned into a puppet figure. In my opinion, there are two answers. The first is that Borisov has sins to atone for before the Germans. He is a very black figure in Germany. The question is what is Bulgaria paying for cleaning up Boyko Borisov's image?“, said Noev.
According to him, the second aspect is that he has to clean up his image in front of the Bulgarian defense industry, because his government has caused severe damage through repressive actions and revoking licenses of many companies.
“And then Delyan Peevski was behind this, because even then it was understood that the arms industry was promising and some people decided to get their hands on it“, said the former defense minister.