site.btaMPs Adopt First-reading Revisions Regulating Anti-Drone Weapon Use in Military Sites' Defence

The National Assembly Wednesday adopted, 125-40 with 8 abstentions, first-reading amendments to the Defence and Armed Forces Act tabled by the Council of Ministers. Some of the amendments create explicit regulations defining the activities of the Supreme Command and authorising the use of weapons and/or technical means by the Armed Forces against unmanned autonomous systems in the protection and defence of military facilities, permanent deployment sites, military formations, equipment and ship platforms located outside permanent deployment sites.

The bill was supported by GERB-UDF, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, MRF - New Beginning, BSP - United Left, There Is Such a People, Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, and two independent MPs. Vazrazhdane and Velichie were against, while Morality, Unity, Honour (MECh) abstained.

The revisions expand the scope of the structures comprising the Armed Forces in wartime to include the State Agency for Technical Operations.

The Supreme Command assists the President in the management of defence and the Armed Forces, the bill stipulates. An obligation is introduced for the Minister of Defence to draw up procedures for the activities of the Supreme Command, which he will submit to the President for approval by decree through the Council of Ministers.

The amendments also regulate legal relations within the Supreme Command, as there are currently no standard operating procedures for its functioning, according to the bill's sponsor.

Other provisions expand the scope of students in vocational colleges with the introduction of the category "college students" - Bulgarian citizens trained to acquire professional qualifications in the professional field of Military Affairs and Defence for the needs of the Defence Ministry and other ministries and agencies.

Also expanded is the scope of employees from other ministries and agencies who can study at the educational institutions of the Defence Ministry on a reciprocal basis. Under the revisions, the initial and special military training of soldiers (sailors) and reservists will be carried out not only in training centres but also in vocational colleges, and that soldiers (sailors) will be trained for the rank of first sergeant/senior sergeant in vocational colleges.