Bulgarian arms companies want greater support by the state. Photo by BGNES
The Bulgarian arms producers have demanded special state measures for protecting their business.
In a special declaration of the "Bulgarian Defense Industry" Association, and the Association of the Land Forces, the arms companies insist that the Bulgarian state stop "experiments with the transformation of the army and the defense industry".
They want a special government strategy for the development of the Bulgarian defense industry for a period of 15 years, including the introduction of quotas for the participation of Bulgarian and foreign companies in the modernization programs of the Bulgarian Army.
The producers want protectionist measures because they claim that foreign companies win almost 100% of the tenders of the Bulgarian Army and the Defense Ministry, even if they are represented by Bulgarian middlemen.
The Bulgarian arms manufacturers also insist that the research and development expenses of the state defense budget gradually grow to reach 3-5%, and that they should be managed by an independent institution.
"The Bulgarian defense industry needs support and incentives by the state. The total privatization is not always the best decision, and equals evading responsibility", the declaration of the arms producers states.