Bulgarian Parliament Approves Javelin Missile Purchase Amid Heated Debate

Sofia, The Gulf Observer: The Bulgarian Parliament has ratified the purchase of Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States for 153 million leva, securing approval in two consecutive votes held on the same day. The decision, backed by political parties GERB, BSP, TISP, WCC-DB, both factions of DPS, and “Greatness,” faced opposition from “Revival,” MECH, and one MP from Dogan’s DPS. The payment will be made in installments, with the acquisition forming part of a broader military modernization package that includes Stryker combat vehicles, as previously announced by the government in February.

During the parliamentary debate, the pro-Russian party “Revival” strongly criticized the deal, arguing that Javelin missiles are outdated and that Bulgaria should prioritize domestic military production. Party leader Kostadin Kostadinov dismissed the missiles as a poor investment and likened the Stryker vehicles to “American coffins.” He accused the government of sidelining Bulgarian defense manufacturers in favor of foreign deals. In response, WCC-DB countered that Javelin missiles have demonstrated battlefield effectiveness in Ukraine and rejected claims of obsolescence.

Asen Vassilev from WCC-DB challenged “Revival’s” assertion that Bulgaria produces comparable weapons, stating that defense experts had confirmed no domestic alternatives exist. When pressed, Kostadinov named several Bulgarian firms and claimed that a consortium led by a Bulgarian entrepreneur had attempted to establish production in Burgas but was ignored in favor of an American deal. Vassilev refuted these claims, emphasizing that Bulgaria’s military-industrial complex has thrived, with turnover tripling since 2001.

Amid the heated exchange, Ivaylo Mirchev from DB defended the Javelins’ relevance, citing their continued success in Ukraine and their recent procurement by Turkey. GERB MP Hristo Gadzhev also weighed in, arguing that postponing military modernization would weaken the Bulgarian army. Meanwhile, “Greatness” leader Ivelin Mihaylov emphasized that financial investment alone would not resolve the issue, highlighting concerns over military manpower shortages.

The debate extended beyond the missile purchase to a broader controversy over an investment in a gunpowder plant near Shumen. WCC-DB accused DPS-New Beginning of obstructing the project, with former Economy Minister Bogdan Bogdanov alleging that Delyan Peevski pressured government officials to exclude a 200-million-lev investment from the 2023 agenda. He claimed security services withdrew their initial approval just minutes before a government meeting, effectively stalling the project. WCC-DB has pledged to demand explanations from intelligence agencies regarding the decision.

In response, DPS-New Beginning defended the move, asserting that the investment was linked to a trader supplying arms to Russia. The gunpowder plant, backed by Hristo Gebrev, son of arms manufacturer Emilian Gebrev, was set to operate in the former chemical plant in Smyadovo. With only two such factories in Europe, Bloomberg has warned of potential shortages, adding to the controversy surrounding the decision.

The approval of the Javelin missile purchase marks a significant step in Bulgaria’s ongoing military modernization efforts, but the parliamentary debate underscores broader divisions over defense priorities and economic interests in the country.