The TEREM defense plant in Veliko Turnovo is prepared to undertake the destruction of the SS-23 missiles. The plant has informed the Ministry of Defense on that and is preparing its offer. The plant has developed own technologies for destruction of different types missiles. Over 77,500 units are currently being destroyed in the plant under an agreement signed in July 2001 between the US State Department and TEREM. The United States provided USD 530,000 for the project. Bulgaria must destroy its SS-23 missiles by October 30, 2002, according to a special declaration, approved by Parliament on December 19. A special US committee that will work on the destruction of Scud and SS-23 missiles is expected to be formed by the end of January. The committee will arrive in Bulgaria for talks, Defence Minister Nikolay Svinarov said.