Shalamanov: Bulgaria must speed up its F-16 program
Bulgaria can make the most of the situation politically in order to modernize its army and get rid of Moscow’s influence in its life, and it must stop preparing for the entry of F-16 aircraft. This week’s NATO meeting aimed to show Russia that all members of the alliance are properly protected and that – contrary to what President Putin wants – instead of fewer NATO troops in Europe and division, there will be more military involvement and stronger NATO integration. If Russia resorts to the use of chemical or biological weapons in Ukraine, a UN resolution could justify countries wanting to intervene in the conflict.
This opinion Velizar Shamalanov, who is a former Minister of Defense, on the show “Investor Club” hosted by Ivaylo Lakov on “Bloomberg TV Bulgaria“.
“At least 20 F-16 pilots should be sent to the United States as soon as possible to speed up the adoption of the F-16, the preparation of the National Infrastructure in Graf Ignatievo – which is very late due to fault in Bulgaria – and the entire resource to be aimed at much faster entry into the operational duty of these F-16s. The period of decommissioning of the MiG-29 due to inability to maintain can be covered – as well as covered – with the fighters of our allies. “
“If the Saturday I see continues, on the part of the Ministry of Defense and other ministries, I may not be able to enter service until 2040,” order an F-16 from the United States, Shalamanov said.
“There is no truly integrated national team that manages this program in a professional way, as is done in NATO, in order to acquire full capability and synchronize all actions to prepare infrastructure, personnel, change doctrines, develop a radar surveillance system, anti-aircraft missile cover, reconnaissance and retrieval systems, “he said.
If the country really has strength in the country, the new planes can perform their functions of protecting the country within two to three years, Shalamanov said. The success of the program depends on the active participation of the Council of Ministers, the Parliament, but also of the industry, which should have a key involvement in the rearmament projects.
At this week’s meeting, it will decide to double NATO’s number on the eastern flank. A new strategic concept of the alliance for the next war in Ukraine can be expected at the NATO summit in Madrid at the end of June.
It is important for Bulgaria that within the concept of comprehensive pre-deployment, one can use its technological abandonment and seek a decisive change in the field of air and missile defense with modern systems, so as not to understand more about the old Soviet equipment. like the S-300, Shalamanov said.
“This means strengthening a possible ground capability, which will enable the development of Bulgarian battalion battle groups – much better systems of command, control, intelligence and cyber defense.”
At the meeting, Bulgaria, represented by President Rumen Radev, who, according to Shalamanov, began the change at the beginning of talks on Russia, allied aircraft and the availability of allied forces on the territory of the page after a government mandate.
Shalamanov reminded that in 2014, as Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, Radev was against our MiG-29 aircraft being serviced in Poland and Ukraine, and not in Russia.
“Efforts now to maintain the MiG-29, given that the Russians are destroying factories in Ukraine and this is not a priority for Poland and NATO, would be a waste of time and resources.”
According to Shalamanov, fears of the use of chemical or biological weapons from Moscow to Ukraine are realistic due to previous attacks by Russia with similar means against specific individuals, including in Britain and Bulgaria. He uses chemical weapons in Syria, Shalamanov reminded, British and American intelligence has data on possible “attacks under a foreign flag” in order to escalate the conflict in Russia.
Asked what would be the “red line” in which NATO would intervene in the conflict, Shalamanov said that in essence, Art. 5 and NATO’s military doctrine is based on “maintaining a certain level of uncertainty, which is part of deterrence.”
“NATO is currently showing that it will provide defense capabilities in Eastern Europe, continue and increase military support for Ukraine, continue sanctions with Russia within the EU and the G-7, and if Russia crosses the border from conventional war to conventional warfare. war weapons of mass destruction, this will be a trigger – which will go through another UN resolution and although it is not binding, it will be sufficient grounds for a “coalition of those who wish” to intervene decisively to suspend the implementation of weapons for mass destruction. “
The war as a continuation of Putin’s policy against Ukraine has failed, Shalamanov said.
“The Russian army is returning to the models of World War II – the ‘scorched earth’, completely destroyed cities, a series of war crimes for which there will certainly be convicted.”
Prolonged conflict is not in Russia’s interests, not only sacrifices are being made, but “the complete destruction of the myth of the invincibility of the Russian army, high Russian technology and Russia as a peacemaker is being achieved.”
The sanctions imposed show the country’s dependence on co-operation with the West and are already bearing fruit against the backdrop of growing unification against Russia around the world and the consolidation of Ukrainian society.
The Bulgarians are helping the refugees from the war, the Bulgarian volunteers are fighting in Ukraine, so the Czech society treats this problem like the Europeans, the Bulgarians believe Shalamanov.
“There are certain problems at the level of parliament, president, president, but step by step and they will be overcome. This is what we expect on Monday from the parts of the ruling coalition parties that are there to defend the choice of civilization and should not worship pressure from the BSP, Vazrazhdane and other forces. “
The expulsion of ten Russian diplomas and the summoning of the Bulgarian ambassador to Moscow for consultations are the steps on the right page to end the Kremlin’s influence in Bulgaria, Shalamanov said.
“Definitely the Russian factor is losing strength in Bulgarian politics.”