Bulgarian privatisation of defence industries halted although restructuring will go ahead

Published: 1/17/2000

The Bulgarian Defence Minister, Bovko Noev, has suspended the privatisation of the country"s defence industries, in an effort to make the process more transparent, according to a statement made by the minister after meeting with trade unions within the industry. Noev announced that no military repair facilities will be sold and that discussions would take place to consider their funding. He added that the government would also be investigating potential orders from a German company, regarding overhaul contracts for MiG-29s. This is almost certainly DASA, in collaboration with MiG in MAPS. MAPS has expressed interest in the Bulgarian contracts and, from the Bulgarian comments, has presumably offered a local sourcing deal similar to that offered to the Hungarian company, Dunai Repulogyar, for the Hungarian upgrades. Bulgaria is reported to have 22 MiG-29s, although their condition is unknown. Earlier this year, however, the Bulgarian and Russian governments signed a deal to provide urgently needed spare parts to “stabilise" the Bulgarian Air Force. These were alleged to be from Russian Air Force stocks, because supplier networks had broken down. The minister further promised that those employed in the defence industries, that had been made redundant, would have the same access as ex-servicemen to training facilities. Associated articles: www.concise.org 15th February 1999; 26th August 1999

Article ID: 1319