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Bulgaria’s President: Delaying the delivery of the new F-16 fighter jets places the country at risk of losing its air sovereignty

bulgariarsquos president delaying delivery new fighter jets places country risk losing its air sovereignty
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14:16, 10.02.2022
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The biggest guarantee for our national security is the development of Bulgaria's armed forces and their compatibility with NATO partners, Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev said on February 10 after discussing the state of the Bulgarian army with Defence Minister, Stefan Yanev, Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, and senior military officials.

According to the President, the neglect of military armaments and the country’s allied commitments is the biggest threat to Bulgaria's security. Constant action is needed to overcome this problem, the Head of State added.

"Let us not think of the army from crisis to crisis and from leadership to leadership. Permanent commitments are needed, not one-off acts of arms purchases," Radev said.

Modernization of the army will be the main focus to be put at the Consultative Council for National Security on February 15, the head of state added.

Responding to a journalist's question, the President said there is already information that the delivery of the first eight F-16 fighter jets will be delayed.

"This is extremely worrying for our armed forces. It not only puts our personnel to the test, but places the country at risk of losing its air sovereignty, its ability to guard its own airspace, which is also NATO airspace," the President said.

He directed the responsibility for the delivery of the fighter jets to the former ruling GERB party, because the contracts were concluded under their administration.

The creation of a Bulgarian battalion battle group will not solve our security problems, but its establishment is important because it shows that we can work together with our allies and demonstrate that we can respond in the event of a crisis, the President added.

The crisis between Russia and Ukraine poses a threat to the security not only of Bulgaria, but also of the whole of Europe; it is a crisis with global dimensions, Radev said. He reiterated that a military conflict should not be allowed, but a solution should be sought through diplomacy.

Defence Minister Stefan Yanev said that competitions for the vacant posts in the Bulgarian army would be announced soon. There are enough resources for all positions to be filled, he added.

Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, said that work on the project to acquire second-hand submarines was at an advanced stage and its possible implementation would allow Bulgaria to exercise effective control of its maritime space and have an effective deterrent.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic situation, 329 exercises have been conducted, which is 50 more than the previous year, Admiral Eftimov reported. He pointed out that the state of the army is technologically obsolete in terms of weapons and equipment, but nevertheless a level is maintained that guarantees the country’s national security.

"We have completed the mission in Afghanistan, more than 9,200 people participated in the composition of 42 contingents. Over 66 flights of our transport aviation for firefighting, medical evacuation, transplantation, search and rescue were carried out," added Admiral Emil Eftimov.

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