Parliament Ratifies at First Reading Agreement for Acquisition of Communications Security Equipment

Petya Petrova, Nelli Zheleva

BTA Photo/Minko Chernev

Sofia,

13.03.2025 14:46

(BTA)

Parliament on Thursday approved at first reading a bill for the ratification of an international agreement (Letter of Offer and Acceptance – LOA) BU-P-LBI for the acquisition of communications security equipment. There were 145 votes in favour, 32 against and eight abstentions. The bill was supported by GERB-UDF, Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria, MRF-New Beginning, BSP-United Left, DRF-MRF, There Is Such a People. Vazrazhdane voted against and MECh abstained.

The deadline for proposals between the two readings is three days, MPs decided.

Vazrazhdane said they will make their own proposals.

The international agreement was prepared in connection with the implementation of a Defence Ministry project for the acquisition of a multifunctional modular patrol Vessel for the Navy, adopted by the 44th National Assembly on July 19 2018. The contract for the construction of the two multi-purpose modular patrol vessels stipulates that part of the equipment will be provided by the Defence Ministry to the contractor, NVL.

With the implementation of the project, the ships will acquire communications security equipment and capabilities to conduct secure tactical data exchange with Alliance ship platforms and aircraft via on-board Link-22 systems.

The agreement, in addition to the acquisition of the communications security equipment, also provides for training, provision of engineering and technical assistance, and annual maintenance.

The contract is worth USD 1, 427, 062 excluding VAT. Under its terms, the communications security equipment is to be delivered by the end of 2025.

Link 22 is a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) secure radio system that provides Beyond Line-Of-Sight (BLOS) communications. It interconnects air, surface, subsurface, and ground-based tactical data systems, and it is used for the exchange of tactical data among the military units of the participating nations.

/DS/