site.btaCabinet Seeks Parliament's Approval of 3D Radars Procurement Project

Bulgaria's Council of Ministers decided on Wednesday to ask the National Assembly to pass a resolution approving an investment expenditure project for the procurement of seven new 3D radars and auxiliary equipment, the Government Information Service reported.

The project is based on a draft contract ensuing from an Acquisition Order under a Framework Agreement between Bulgaria's Ministry of Defence and France's Ministry of Armed Forces, of the one part, and a draft Side Contract between the Bulgarian Defence Ministry and the manufacturer of the radars.

The project includes delivery, installation and integration of equipment, services and activities under the Framework Agreement with France and acquisition of auxiliary equipment, services and activities related to the operation of the radars under the Side Contract with the manufacturer.

Once the project is implemented, real-time airspace surveillance capabilities will be built, using ground-based active radiolocation equipment to ensure the air sovereignty of the Republic of Bulgaria and honouring Ally commitments within NATO, the press release specified, adding that this will ensure the performance of the Armed Forces' responsibilities to the national and collective security system.

The acquisition of new 3D radars is a top priority set in the Plan for Development of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2026 and in the Programme for Development of the Defence Capabilities of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria by 2032.

According to media reports, Bulgaria will purchase seven Ground Master 400 (GM400 alpha) 3D radars, manufactured by the French multinational corporation Thales S.A., for up to EUR 195 million provided as a soft loan under the EU's SAFE (Security Action for Europe) financial instrument.