We have relations with the US as allies and strategic partners. These relationships are built over decades. It is extremely important for us to maintain relations with this ally, especially in the field of defense. This is what Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said in the “Panorama” program on BNT, who was visiting the United States of America this week.
We discussed decisions in the common interest. I wouldn’t say they want anything from us. This cabinet has a very Euro-Atlantic stance. We have started a serious process of modernization of the army. The USA sees Bulgaria as an ally with a very important role in the current situation. We have an interest in the Balkans being calm and stable, we have common interests in deterring any potential adversary to our territory and to the territory of NATO as a whole, said Tagarev.
I saw with my own eyes how the production of F-16 aircraft is going. This process is in full swing. Already this year, there will be flight tests of the first aircraft. The eight planes will be on schedule, the next eight will be as well. We are the third party to acquire such aircraft. The list of countries willing to acquire them is growing, the defense minister said.
He specified that work is being done to build a regional center for Europe for American Stryker combat vehicles in Bulgaria.
Rearmament is a constant process of improving systems. The problem with us is that Bulgaria had not received new combat equipment for decades. This process is complex, we need to get tens of systems of new equipment. An army is constantly improving, the defense minister noted.
According to him, the fears of a large-scale military conflict with Russia are shared by many NATO countries.
“Bild”: War between NATO and Russia is inevitable, starts in 2025.
In response to a question about how our country would react in such a scenario, Todor Tagarev commented that the job of a responsible defense minister is to prepare for the negative scenarios that could happen.
With its actions, the Kremlin shows that we cannot be calm, we must prepare – primarily deterring a potential aggressor, and if it cannot be deterred – defense and victory against such an aggressor. We work together with our NATO allies. We do not condescend. Everyone gives according to their ability. We are NATO, NATO is not someone else, we all work together, according to the capabilities of each country, Tagarev pointed out.
We do not know our own history. This is what makes Russian propaganda so effective. If we know our history, know when Russia has helped us and when it has acted against our interests, this will allow citizens to better understand today’s complex world in its interdependence, the minister said.
He stated that Bulgaria has given the necessary military assistance to Ukraine, according to its capabilities, without impairing the capabilities of our army.
The Minister of Defense clarified that there is no decision to participate in the operation against the Houthis in the Red Sea. Only the National Assembly can make a decision. However, this participation is of significant interest to us, because the captain and vice-captain of “Galaxy Leader” are Bulgarians. We also have seven Bulgarians on the ship “Rouen”, he noted.
According to him, Bulgaria has solutions for the deployment of a multinational combat group. There are solutions for this brigade combat group to grow to around 5,000 servicemen, if necessary, Todor Tagarev said.
The thesis of BSP MP Rumen Gechev, which he developed in “Panorama”, that Tagarev had no right to make commitments to the USA for the deployment of missile systems in Bulgaria, because, according to him, there was no decision on this either by the government or the parliament, was refuted on air by both Tagarev and the editors of the show.
On December 8, the National Assembly obliged the Council of Ministers to carry out negotiations with the governments of NATO allies for the deployment of allied anti-aircraft and coastal anti-ship missile systems to strengthen Bulgaria’s defense capabilities. Both Tagarev and the editors of the program reminded Gechev about this decision of the parliament, which gives the Minister of Defense a mandate to negotiate for the deployment of American anti-aircraft systems and anti-aircraft complexes in Bulgaria.
2024-01-19 21:04:15
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