The Defence Committee of Bulgaria’s National Assembly Tuesday voted, 11-4, to back a motion for the supply to Ukraine of defective 5V55R surface-to-air missiles owned by the Defence Ministry and rounds of 5.56x45 mm-calibre automatic-weapon ammunition which have been discarded by the Interior Ministry.
The 5V55R missiles are used for the S-300 long range air defence system.
During the debate, the BSP for Bulgaria MPs argued that Defence Minister Todor Tagarev is a national security risk and again demanded his resignation. Vazrazhdane also voted against the motion. There Is Such a People specified that they were in favour of the supply of ammunition but opposed the provision of surface-to-air missiles.
Before the start of the Committee’s extraordinary meeting, Tagarev explained that the motion for the supply of additional military aid to Ukraine does not include air defence missile systems of any kind. He specified that Bulgaria will provide Ukraine with missiles that are beyond repair.
"We should better not keep defective SAM missiles because this is hazardous and may endanger the life of personnel," the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, said at the Novo Selo Training Area on Tuesday.
/MY/
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