In the report on the selection of a new type of fighter aircraft, a proposal was made to start negotiations with the US for an F-16 aircraft
21.12.2018
Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov and Economy Minister Emil Karanikolov submitted today to the Council of Ministers, on 21 December, a report on the results of the work on the implementation of the updated investment project "Acquisition of a new type of combat aircraft" adopted by the National Assembly. It proposes to the Council of Ministers to submit for approval to the National Assembly a decision to instruct the government to prepare a draft international agreement and to negotiate with the government of the United States of America to acquire a new type of Air Force Air Force.
The document is based on the Joint Task Force (WGU) final protocol to assess the responses to the project proposal request and the Political and Military Group (LFG) report for consultations with the States participating in the procedure.
At a press conference in the Ministry of Defense, the Deputy Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov - the head of the political-military group and Major General Tsanko Stoykov - was the chairman of the joint working group and project leader.
"The acquisition of a new multi-purpose fighter such as F-16V Block 70 from the United States, equipped with the latest generation of radar and armament, will raise the new combat qualities of the Bulgarian military aviation. At the same time, the dependence of the Republic of Bulgaria on third parties will be eliminated during the operation and management of airplane life cycles. The motives for this proposal correspond to the interests of the foreign policy and national security of the Republic of Bulgaria, both in the region and in the alliance, "said Deputy Minister Zapryanov.
Major General Tsanko Stoykov noted that the joint working group has followed clear rules - objectivity and impartiality towards the parties. "We strived to be as accurate as possible when considering the three proposals. We have done everything we can to meet the deadlines of the roadmap adopted by the National Assembly, "he said.
In response to journalistic questions, Minister Krassimir Karakachanov pointed out that the choice of a new type of combat aircraft is based on the reports that the political-military group and the project management board have done. "The Minister of Defense is only a mediator between the working groups and the Council of Ministers," he said. "If the Council of Ministers takes note of the proposal in the report, a resolution of the National Assembly and negotiations with the United States. When achieving results that are in the interest of our military aviation and the Ministry of Defense, we are proposing to sign a contract. It has to be drafted by four ministers - defense, economy, finance and foreign affairs, and if approved by the Council of Ministers, the ratification of the treaty by the National Assembly will take place. "
Minister Karakachanov also clarified that, according to US law, part of the information could be provided by the US after the country was elected to conduct direct negotiations. "This is not about talks between a state and a firm, but about negotiations between states," the defense minister said. "All the information we have about the questions we are asking, including the real and feasible price improvement, can only be achieved in direct negotiations between the two governments as the procedure is sanctioned by the US Congress," he said. "In this situation, there are two options - either to stop the project and start over, which means to lose at least a year and a half, or to start direct negotiations with the ambition to improve the price, get all the necessary parameters, to make our final opinion and to offer a contract. This is the procedure. If there is no contract at mutually beneficial conditions, we always have the option to continue with the next proposals, "said Minister Karakachanov.
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