Defense Minister Stoyanov: Bulgaria needs new counter-drone systems

Bulgaria needs new counter-drone systems, Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov told journalists in connection with Saturday’s incident, when a Ukrainian drone entered Bulgarian airspace and exploded on Bulgarian territory. Minister Stoyanov said that Bulgaria has begun negotiations with a European country that could supply the systems, but did not specify which country.

• Investigation of drone crash near gas pipeline on Bulgarian-Romanian border

• Ukraine to assist in clarifying circumstances related to drone near Kardam

“When I took over the Ministry of Defense, not much had been done in this area. We hope to speed up the process now”, Dimitar Stoyanov said. He stressed that funding for the purchase has been allocated under the SAFE mechanism.

“Sufficient funding has been set aside. I think the amount is EUR 127 million, which will be used to purchase at least 10 such systems, along with one electronic warfare system”, Minister Stoyanov said.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov