(ANSA) - SOFIA - Bulgaria will launch procedures for the
procurement of fighter jets and wheeled armoured vehicles by the
end of March, Defence minister Krassimir Karakachanov said as
Novinite.com reports. ''We will seek offers for delivery of new
fighter jets as well as used ones. We may also extend
invitations to a larger number of participants,'' Karakachanov
said in an interview with public TV channel BNT.
According to Novinite.com press agency, in 2016, Bulgaria
launched the procedure for acquisition of a new type of combat
aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Russian-made MiG-29
fighter jets. However, in September 2017, an ad-hoc
parliamentary commitee, set up to supervise the selection
process, recommended to relaunch the procedure, saying one of
the participants in the tender had been unfairly disqualified
from the race.
Karakachanov also noted that the expenditure of 680 million
levs ($429.5 million/347.6 million euro) earmarked for
acquisition of new patrol ships for the Bulgarian Navy is rather
insufficient for the purchase of fully equipped vessels and the
ministry plans to upgrade the existing frigates.
In June 2017, the Defence ministry said it plans to spend
3.54 billion levs on rearmament programmes between 2017 and
2029. (ANSA).
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