LONDON — The Bulgarian Defence Ministry is anticipated to pick its latest three-coordinate radar in the approaching weeks, in response to industry representatives present at this yr’s DSEI show in London.
On Aug. 24, Bulgariam Deputy Defence Minister Stanimir Georgiev said the planned acquisition of seven latest radars is crucial for the country’s ongoing efforts to modernize its Air Force.
In response to the ministry, five corporations submitted their offers: France’s Thales; Israel Aerospace Industries subsidiary Elta Systems; Italy’s Leonardo, Spain’s Indra; and U.S company Lockheed Martin.
Thales is offering a radar from its Ground Master family for the Bulgarian Air Force, in response to an announcement provided to Defense News by the French firm’s communications team at DSEI.
John Neilson, the director for international communications at Lockheed Martin, told Defense News the corporate has proposed the TPS-77 radar to Bulgaria. “We await feedback from the Bulgarian MoD on next steps in the method,” Neilson said.
The forthcoming acquisition is value about 400 million leva ($219 million). The predominant criteria into consideration are price, maintenance costs, operational capacities, industrial cooperation opportunities and warranty maintenance terms, in response to the ministry.
Defense News has contacted Leonardo, Elta and Indra for comment.
Jaroslaw Adamowski is the Poland correspondent for Defense News.