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Bulgaria to purchase five additional IRIS-T air defense systems
Bulgaria is moving to significantly upgrade its air defense capabilities following drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea within its Exclusive Economic Zone. Prime Minister Rumen Radev announced that the government will propose the purchase of five additional IRIS-T SLM missile systems to the National Assembly. This expansion, which includes one previously agreed-upon system, will bring Bulgaria's total to six IRIS-T SLM complexes.
The IRIS-T SLM is a mobile, medium-range air defense system developed by Diehl Defence. It features an effective range of up to 40 km and an altitude coverage of up to 20 km, designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. The total modernization project for Bulgaria's air defense is estimated to reach approximately 1.1 billion euros.
In addition to the missile systems, the Bulgarian government is initiating procedures to acquire new capabilities to counter unmanned systems in both air and maritime domains. Radev emphasized that building these capabilities requires significant investment, consistent strategy, and time. The procurement is intended to ensure Bulgarian territorial protection and contribute to NATO's collective defense architecture.
Entities
Black Sea · Bulgaria · Diehl Defence · European Sky Shield Initiative · Germany · IRIS-T · NATO · National Health Insurance Fund · Rumen Radev
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 6 SOURCES] Bulgaria plans to purchase five additional IRIS-T SLM air defense missile systems. euronews.bg · www.europesays.com · racin.mk · aresdifesa.it · petel.bg · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The government is initiating procedures to acquire capabilities to counter unmanned systems in air and maritime domains. euronews.bg · www.europesays.com · aresdifesa.it · racin.mk · petel.bg
- [● 4 SOURCES] Drone attacks recently targeted commercial vessels in the Black Sea within Bulgaria's Exclusive Economic Zone. www.europesays.com · aresdifesa.it · euronews.bg
- [● 3 SOURCES] The IRIS-T SLM system has an effective range of up to 40 km and an altitude coverage of up to 20 km. racin.mk · petel.bg · fakti.bg
- [● 3 SOURCES] The initial contract for one IRIS-T complex was valued at approximately 180.6 million euros. racin.mk · petel.bg · fakti.bg
- [● 2 SOURCES] The total number of IRIS-T SLM complexes in Bulgaria will reach six. racin.mk · petel.bg