The Head of State calls for the joint development and production of NATO armaments to close the technological and social gap between NATO members
One of NATO's main goals is to prevent in any way the escalation and expansion of the conflict beyond the territory of the warring Russia and Ukraine. The summit also strongly reaffirmed the protection under Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty of any member state that is threatened. This is what President Radev told journalists after the extraordinary NATO summit in Brussels.
The Head of State stressed that the NATO members were united in denouncing Russia's aggression and the unacceptable war, as well as stressing the need for measures to support Ukraine, end hostilities, return to diplomacy and expediently reinforce the Eastern flank of the Alliance.
Increasing mobility and sustainability in NATO logistics support were also in the focus of the meeting, which is why Bulgaria is working together with Greece and Romania to build a pipeline system for fuel supply through NATO financial mechanisms, as well as to improve rail and transport connectivity.
The United States is already participating in the multinational battle group in Bulgaria. In the President's words, both the UK and Italy have expressed their readiness to support this country in its construction so that it can acquire the necessary capabilities more quickly. Radev pointed out that during the meeting many NATO countries had expressed their preparedness to increase their defence budgets, but it was important how these funds would be spent.
The Head of State reiterated his call for joint development and production of weaponry within NATO, which would channel investments to the economies of smaller member states as well. When we spend money on acquiring military capabilities, we should do it in such a way that smaller countries may not be restricted to being mere investors in the economies and social systems of more advanced countries. We should have joint developments of defence equipment and production so that we can more quickly close the economic and technological gap between us, Radev stressed.
The President urged again to prevent Bulgaria from abandoning its responsibility for the protection of Bulgarian airspace and for the NATO integrated air and missile defence system, which requires specific solutions for the maintenance of the Bulgarian fighter fleet. Radev said that he had raised the issue with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Defence to consider all possible options in this regard.
It is obvious that in this environment of growing escalation, Russia is not an option for the maintenance of aircraft and units whose service life is running out, the President said, adding that he expected talks at the expert level on the capabilities of the Polish industry and the Air Force to find a temporary solution. The fact that we will eventually have an operationally ready F-16 squadron, fit to carry out combat duty around 2030, means that we have to fill this gap in order not to lose the most important things - capability, pilots, technicians and aviation experts, the Head of state further said. He added that if this country allowed such a loss of capability, it would also mean compromising the F-16 absorption project.
Rumen Radev also called for a solution to the issue before US President Joe Biden - to speed up the shipment of the newly manufactured aircraft or to get second-hand F-16s on lease to fill the gap. There may also be support from other countries in the so-called EPAF F-16 MLU program in Europe, such as the Netherlands, for F-16 leasing and training. We are also looking at the option of European fighters from our partners France, Italy, Germany and others for leasing, the president said. During Radev's talks with their heads of state and government, the said countries have expressed willingness to discuss the issue.
Responding to a question, the Head of State described calling back Bulgaria's ambassador to Moscow for consultations as a logical move in the current situation. Referring to Ambassador Mitrofanova's words, the President stressed that no ambassador could arrogate to himself the right to speak on behalf of the Bulgarian people.
Asked about the possibility of Bulgaria supplying arms to Ukraine, the President called for a distinction to be made between countries that produce modern and high-tech weapons and have a surplus and countries that have a shortage of arms for their own armed forces. In this crisis, we should acquire military hardware, the Head of State pointed out and reiterated that whoever might take such a decision should clearly assess the risk and make it public.