Bulgarian MPs to Approve Military Spending Spree

By the end of this week, parliament in Sofia is set to approve financial plans for the two largest rearmament projects in the recent history of the Bulgarian Army.

The planned overall cost is 3.26 billion leva, or 1.6 billion euros, to be spent over the next 11 years on the purchase of at least 150 armoured military vehicles and at least eight new aircraft.

The two projects passed through parliament's Military Committee on Tuesday with the backing of all parties' MPs apart from the Socialists. They are now set to be voted upon by the National Assembly on Thursday or Friday.

The first project, to acquire at least 150 armoured military vehicles and auxiliary units will see the state spending 1.22 billion lev, close to 600 million euro, in the next 11 years. Additionally, an extra 240 million lev, or 120 million euro, are dedicated to purchasing training and support systems.

This would equip three Battalion Battle Groups with 90 light armoured vehicles and 60 auxiliary support units.

The project will be realised using NATO-standard technology blueprints to build the vehicles in Bulgaria, according to the project. The modernisation and maintenance of the vehicles will also be done in Bulgaria, by local firms.

On Monday, Bulgaria launched its first domestically-produced military vehicle - a light armoured vehicle, produced by the Samokov-based Samarm company.

The second project that is to be approved envisages the purchase of a new fighter jet to replace the ageing Soviet-era MIG-29 fighters that Bulgaria currently uses.

According to the project, the new fighter needs to be produced by a NATO country.

The project would see the purchase of at least 16 new aircraft in two tranches; Bulgaria will dedicate 1.8 billion...