Lobbying activity, questionable decisions and a drastically inflated price accompanied the 14-year process of selecting new fighter jets for the Bulgarian army. This is shown by the detailed chronology published by former MP Viktor Papazov, who reveals how the Bulgarian state chose the more expensive American F-16s instead of the more advantageous offer for the Swedish Gripen.
In his post on the social network, Papazov provides specific facts and dates on how the initial choice of the Gripen fighters was changed in favor of the American F-16s at twice the price.
"After reading the above, do you still have doubts about who GERB and its leader serve? Do you still have doubts that we are a COLONY subjected to merciless robbery? That we are in NATO as a donor of bases and money, and not as an army?" - Papazov asks sharply after the presentation of the facts.
According to the information presented, in 2005 Bulgaria initiated the procedure for purchasing new fighters. By 2016 Numerous meetings and negotiations were held, mainly with the Swedish Gripen manufacturer, which opened an office in Bulgaria and actively participates in aviation exhibitions.
A key moment occurred in the spring of 2017, when, after evaluating the offers, the choice of the Swedish Gripen was announced, and the government stated that negotiations with Sweden would begin. However, an intensive lobbying campaign began at that time.
"Development during this period of serious lobbying activity, which criticized the disqualification of the United States because they did not meet the mandatory conditions. The process was stopped and a parliamentary commission was established," Papazov emphasizes.
The development since the end of 2018 seems particularly scandalous. While the Swedish side offers an optimized offer for 10 Gripen aircraft, which fits into the budget set by Bulgaria, just days later the Bulgarian government announces that it will continue to negotiate with the US for the F-16.
"2019 - Bulgaria signed a contract with the US for 8 F-16s for an amount twice the budget set by parliament and with a hundred percent advance payment", the former MP points out.
Papazov insists that this move is unprecedented in Bulgarian practice - not only does the price exceed the budget approved by parliament, but our country also pays the entire amount to the supplier in advance, without a guarantee of delivery time or penalties for delays.
Viktor Papazov's publication raises the question of whether Bulgaria's national interest was taken into account at all when choosing fighter jets. According to the facts presented, the more advantageous offer was ignored in favor of a significantly more expensive alternative.
The rhetorical questions with which Papazov ends his publication sound like a serious accusation against the then ruling GERB party and cast doubt on Bulgaria's real independence in making decisions of such caliber.
The facts speak for themselves - after 14 years of procedures, negotiations and discussions, our country finds itself with fewer, more expensive fighters and with millions lost from its budget in the form of unjustified prepayments.