Bulgaria is considering acquiring the Caesar self-propelled 155mm howitzer as a replacement for the Soviet 2S1 “Gvozdika” 122-mm self-propelled artillery systems.
The French system is one of two defense proposals under the European Defence Industry Reinforcement through common Procurement Act (EDIRPA) program in addition to the IRIS-T air defense system, Euractiv reported, citing Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov.
The program facilitates joint procurement of defense equipment by EU member states, including partial reimbursements.
“The result achieved from Bulgaria’s participation in the EDIRPA instrument so far is a great success for the country,” Euractiv quoted Zapryanov as saying.
IRIS-T’s procurement has been approved by the Bulgarian parliament while the Caeser’s purchase is in the “reserve list of projects,” according to Euractiv.
Caesar’s procurement is being coordinated with France and IRIS-T’s with Germany.
Army Modernization
The procurement of the Caesar is part of the Bulgarian Army’s decade-long modernization while still relying on Soviet equipment.
A slew of defense projects are expected to take the country’s defense spending to over 2.5 percent of GDP in the next three years.
These include the procurement of 183 Stryker vehicles and over 200 Javelin anti-tank systems from the US for an estimated $1.5 billion and $114 million, respectively.
Additionally, the country’s air force has sought to procure new military surveillance radars for an estimated 400-million lev ($221.7 million).
