Bulgaria’s Cabinet approves proposed acquisition of artillery ammo for Navy

Meeting on April 2, Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved a proposed acquisition of artillery ammunition for the Navy, a report on Bulgaria’s defence investment programme to 2032, a report on the state of the armed forces, and an invitation to Türkiye to join its planned Command Special Operations Headquarters for the Black Sea region.

The acquisition of 76 x 636mm artillery ammunition for the 76/62mm long-range artillery complex OTO Melara SR/MF is intended for the Bulgarian Navy’s new multi-functional modular patrol vessels.

The OTO Melara 76mm gun, marketed as the OTO 76/62 Gun Mount, is a naval autocannon built and designed by Italian defence company OTO Melara.

The Bulgarian government information service said that the document approved by the Cabinet included the estimated sum needed to carry out the project, without saying what this sum was.

“The implementation of the project will ensure the combat capability of the newly acquired ships and their effective use both in a national and allied format. This will lead to the fulfillment of the allied commitments of the Republic of Bulgaria regarding the collective security system,” the statement said.

Defence Investment Programme

The Cabinet approved a report on the implementation of the Defence Investment Programme 2024 – 2032.

This was in line with a resolution adopted by Parliament in 2024 obliging the government to submit to the National Assembly an annual report on the implementation of the programme.

“After conducting such a review at the Ministry of Defence, it was found that, in accordance with the processes taking place in Nato, the dynamically changing security environment and the radically different geopolitical situation, the new risks associated with it, as well as the lack of adequate funding, it will be necessary to change (update) the defence Investment Program until 2032,” the government information service said.

“This will be proposed to the National Assembly after the completion of the consultation and planning processes in Nato and the approval by the leaders of the member states in June of this year of the new Package of Capability Goals – 2025, which are much broader and require changes in our plans as well.”

This will be followed by a review and analysis of the structure of the Armed Forces, with the aim of optimizing it to ensure more effective implementation of the assigned missions and tasks in Nato’s collective defence, and subsequently a review of the capabilities of Bulgarian Armed Foces, which will inevitably be reflected in subsequent changes in the programme.

The report will be submitted for consideration in the National Assembly, the statement said.

State of Defence and Armed Forces in 2024

The Cabinet approved a Report on the State of Defence and the Armed Forces in 2024, which is to be tabled in the National Assembly.

“The document presents to the National Assembly and the society an assessment of the state of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the results achieved during the year in the field of defence,” the government statement said.

“Based on the conclusions drawn, the report also outlines the main directions for work in 2025 and in the medium term, in which the Ministry of Defence will focus its efforts to implement an effective defence policy.”

In 2024, continuity was ensured in the goals and priorities of the defence policy and the country’s contribution within the framework of Nato’s collective defence and the EU’s Common Security and defence Policy, the report said.

The focus of the efforts was: improving the implementation of the missions and tasks of the Armed Forces; accelerating the construction and maintenance of the necessary defence capabilities and filling of deficits; rearmament and modernization; filling of vacant positions, manning and training of the voluntary reserve; implementation of Nato Capability Goals; building capabilities and active strategic communications with the public.

Regional Component Command Special Operations Headquarters

The Cabinet approved a draft letter from the Bulgarian Minister of Defence and the Romanian Minister of Defence to the Minister of National Defence of Türkiye regarding an invitation to join the Memorandum of Understanding between the Bulgarian and Romanian ministers of defence on the establishment of the Headquarters of the Regional Special Operations Component Command (HQ R-SOCC) and authorised the Bulgarian Defence Minister to sign it.

The Regional Component Command Special Operations Headquarters will plan, command and control the Alliance’s Special Operations Forces for the Black Sea Region, the government information service said.

The establishment of the headquarters will contribute to strengthening the deterrence and defence potential of Nato’s Southeastern Flank, the statement said.

Please support independent journalism by clicking on the button below and signing up to become a patron of The Sofia Globe:

Become a Patron!