07 October 2022
16:12
As early as October 1, Bulgaria received an answer to his question about whether Sweden could supply Gripen fighters. This is clear from an announcement by the Swedish Association of the Security and Defense Industry. Sweden can supply 8 Gripen fighters until new F-16 fighters arrive in 2025-2030.
However, it is unclear from the announcement whether the manufacturer proposes to buy the 8 aircraft from Bulgaria or lease them.
The Ministry of Defense explained to BNR that it was not aware of receiving an official response to the investigation sent at the end of September. But they recalled that similar requests were also sent to countries such as France, the United States and Israel.
In a statement to the media, the executive office of the BSP said it was categorically opposed to spending on Gripen aircraft, announced yesterday by President Radev.
It is not the job of an official cabinet to negotiate and commit Bulgaria in the long term with such contracts. There is already an elected parliament and only he can pronounce himself, the party’s position affirms.
In the National Assembly, the BSP will vote “against” the purchase of fighter jets.
