Bulgaria expects to receive two additional anti-drone systems by the end of next week as the country works to strengthen its ability to detect and counter unmanned aircraft, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said during a meeting with journalists in Pleven.
Stoyanov said two systems are expected to arrive tomorrow, although they will not be immediately operational because personnel will need to undergo the necessary training to use the equipment.
“We are in the process of acquiring two more such systems. I expect them by the end of next week,” Stoyanov said, as quoted by BTA.
The minister was also asked about the Ukrainian drone that entered Bulgarian airspace on August 8 and exploded around 100 meters inside Bulgarian territory.
According to Stoyanov, the Ukrainian side has said the drone was not deliberately directed toward Bulgaria. He said a possible explanation is that the aircraft experienced interference with its GPS signal, followed by a failure of its control system.
Bulgaria is still awaiting the assessment of its own experts regarding the circumstances surrounding the incident and the reasons why the drone entered Bulgarian airspace.
The planned delivery of additional anti-drone systems comes as Bulgaria seeks to improve its capabilities for dealing with unmanned aircraft and strengthen protection of its airspace.