Against the background of the urgent modernization of the army, the highest military chief of defense adm. Emil Eftimov announced that the legal framework does not allow Bulgarian companies to be actively involved in military contracts.
He called, quoted by BTA, to reconsider The law on public procurement in the field of defense and security, because the dynamics in the security environment, the need for rearmament, the application of technology, are very large.
Bulgarian companies rarely enter the more important orders of the Ministry of Defense mainly as subcontractors. Bulgarian business has been calling for the Ministry of Defense (MoD) to rely more on it for years, but this never happens.
Admiral Eftimov commented that in other European countries there is protectionism towards their companies.
Bulgarian companies participate in the maintenance of part of the old equipment and in the supplies, but they cannot implement the large projects.
Admiral Eftimov pointed out that the cost of abilities has increased due to the pandemic and wars by nearly 30-40%.
He noted that the investment plan-program should be nationally oriented and allow Bulgarian business to get involved.
Currently on the agenda are military projects for at least 5 billion BGN, and the amount must increase significantly so that Bulgaria can at least get closer to NATO standards.
It is expected that the deal to acquire new ones will finally be concluded within months armored vehicles for the Ground Forces, which will cost about BGN 2.5 billion.
The Ministry of Defense decided to implement the project with an intergovernmental agreement with the USA and acquire Stryker machines.
Bulgaria still relies on the old Soviet weapons systemsbut the MoD’s comments contrast sharply with the situation.
“The main focus of the Ministry of Defense (MoD) remains the rearmament of the armed forces – a process related to the acquisition of classic weapons platforms. Added to them, new technologies and generally available products with an asymmetric effect will play the role of a multiplier,” said Deputy Defense Minister Stanimir Georgiev
According to him, this approach is not in doubt because of the critical backlog of rearmament, which has been underfunded in the last 30 years.
On Monday, a round table was held, which examined the so-called small projects of the modernization of the Armed Forces, which are believed to have a large asymmetric effect.
Drones are key in this regard.
Tags: price military equipment increased laws Bulgarian companies orders
