At its regular meeting, the cabinet approved Bulgaria joining an international initiative to build air defence capabilities against low-flying threats, the government press office said. It also approved Bulgaria's taking part in an agreement between France and Denmark to buy 32 missiles for the navy.
The initiative is based on a memorandum between the defence ministers of Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Romania, Sweden and Turkey. The government also approved a draft note under which Bulgaria's Ministry of Defence will join it. This will happen after ratification.
The countries will review current and future technology options, check whether they meet operational requirements and current threats, and agree a common approach to next steps. The press office said this will make developing and introducing these capabilities more efficient.
The missiles are VL MICA surface-to-air missiles, and France leads the project. They are meant for air defence of the navy's multi-role patrol ships, and the delivery includes related services. The defence minister is authorised to negotiate and sign the agreement between the defence ministries of the three countries. The project is listed in the National Plan for Investment in the European Defence Industry under the SAFE instrument.
Before an individual order is signed under the framework agreement, the National Assembly must approve a draft investment expenditure. The order will set the financial terms and deadlines.
The government also approved an agreement on cooperation and coordination in search and rescue after air accidents. The parties are Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia.
The document is a framework international treaty. It sets out how the countries will communicate and work together, eases transit across their territories, defines their rights and duties, and says how costs are covered.
It is Bulgaria's first regional agreement of this kind.