Bulgaria extends deadline for offers to supply new naval patrol ships

The deadline for submission of offers for two patrol ships for the Bulgarian Navy will be extended by two weeks, Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said on November 12. The new deadline is December 6.

The request for extension came from the two bidders, but he did not disclose the names of the companies.

Karakachanov said that he decided for the extension to make sure he is not accused of rushing the project to favour some bidder at the expense of another.

He said that it was important that all participants in the bidding were well prepared to present their proposals and from then on to evaluate their offers, he added, as quoted by BNR.

The project is worth about BGN 1 billion, and the tender involves Bulgarian, German and Italian companies.

The defence budget voted for next year exceeds BGN 2 billion and will cover the needs in the sector, Karakachanov said. The salaries of the servicemen will again be increased by 10%.