The Bulgarian parliament has ratified a government proposal for the phased acquisition of a long-range and six medium-range IRIS-T air-defense systems from Germany.
The first phase will span 39 months after contract conclusion and cost around 356 million Bulgarian leva ($200 million), Bulgarian News Agency reported, citing an acquisition draft.
The initial acquisition of an IRIS-T SLM (Surface-Launched Medium-Range) system will be financed from the country’s defense budget and from the compensatory amount received for armaments donated to Ukraine in 2024, which is likely to increase in 2025.
Subsequent phases will be implemented upon the availability of funds.
Long-Term IRIS-T Acquisition
In a related development, officials from the Bulgarian and German defense ministries and Diehl Defence held a meeting from July 22 to 24, wherein the acquisition details were revealed.
It includes five additional IRIS-T SLM systems and one long-range IRIS-T SLX (Surface-Launched Extended-Range) system by 2032.
The IRIS-T SLM has a maximum range of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and a maximum altitude of 20 kilometers (12 miles), while the newly-launched SLX can intercept a target from twice the range of its predecessor and an altitude of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles).
European Sky Shield Initiative
Bulgaria’s council of ministers approved a draft procurement agreement for the Diehl Defence systems in 2023 within the framework of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI).
The IRIS-T is one of three components of the three-tiered ESSI, along with the short-range Skyranger 30 mobile ground defense system and the long-range Patriot.
Bulgaria is one of 21 members of the ESSI initiative, launched in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The IRIS-T procurement is intended to bolster Bulgaria’s capability to protect its airspace, maritime space, strategic installations, and critical infrastructure facilities.
There is a possibility to integrate the capability with the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System, Bulgarian News Agency wrote.