The biggest challenge facing Europe and Bulgaria is for the political elite to understand that security is a priority. The solution is economy, economy, economy. With a strong economy, there will be defense.
This was said by Gen. Konstantin Popov - former chief of the Air Force and chairman of the Defense Committee in the National Assembly, to FOCUS.
In his words, we live in an extremely risky world that is shaking and that can be blown up. "There are the necessary conditions for this, because there is rivalry between huge global players", pointed out Gen. Popov.
The request of the newly elected US President Donald Trump to increase the defense budget of NATO member states to 5% of GDP comes at a time when this will be unbearable for European countries. "But if Europe wants to be strong, capable, and developing, it must also be able to defend itself. That is why we need strong and courageous leaders with will and vision, realists who can face the problems and lead. The new times require new leadership, which has yet to be proven. It is not important to just replace them, but to choose adequate realists who have the skills to achieve results and care for people and their future", said Gen. Konstantin Popov.
He also commented on the expected delivery of the first two F-16 fighter jets in March. In the last year, contracts have been signed to provide the infrastructure necessary for the fighters, for hangars, areas for aviation weapons, for the maintenance of the aircraft and engines. The training of the flight and engineering and technical staff is also underway, explained Gen. Popov.
"The question is why we lost five years. There are probably many reasons - political instability, the change of different teams, views, financial problems, many interests, but in my opinion this is part of the mentality that we need to change. I have the feeling that when a contract is signed in the Ministry of Defense, it is considered that we have done our job. However, the signing of one contract is only the beginning", he emphasized.
Until the full introduction of the F-16 into combat aviation, the MiG-29 must be maintained in parallel and the transition must be smooth, said the former chief of the Air Force. "This requires additional personnel, trained for both. These are different support systems. There must be the necessary equipment, conditions, hangars, navigation system. There must be additional funding to be able to support both systems", explained Gen. Popov.
Source: www.focus-news.net