Bulgaria Seeking To Boost Missile Air Defences

Bulgaria intends to significantly upgrade its air defence capabilities by purchasing the German IRIS-T missile system.

The nation's Government has put forward a bill to its legislature which would include the acquisition of an IRIS-T SLM battery, plus an option to buy up to five more such units. The initial cost is estimated at slightly more than €180m. 

Each unit typically consists of tactical operation center, a support unit, multiple radar units, and 3-4 missile trucks; each launcher usually carries eight missiles.

The infra-red homing missile system has both air-to-air and surface-to air variants. It is produced by a partnership led by German firm Diehl Defence, and it can be used by either mobile or stationary units providing protection against a range of targets.

The launchers and command vehicle can be located separately, and the missiles have a range of up to 40km. Surface-launched versions can be used against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, air-to-surface missiles, anti-ship missiles, anti-radar rockets and large-calibre rockets.

The proposed purchase forms part of the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI). The proposed scheme is a project to build an integrated European-wide air defence system including anti-ballistic missile capability.