Bulgaria has purchased IRIS-T Surface-Launched Medium-range (SLM) air defense systems and thus will join the European Sky Shield Initiative. The agreement was signed October 7th, 2024, and announced by the German-based manufacturer of the system, Diehl Defence.
A portion of the expenses for the modern air defense system will be covered by the Federal Government of Germany, as compensation for military equipment donations Bulgaria made to Ukraine in 2024, Army Recognition reports.
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The Bulgarian military will become the ninth nation to operate the IRIS-T air defense system, designed for intercepting aerial drones, helicopters, aircraft, and cruise missiles. It employs IRIS-T air-to-air missiles adapted for ground-based launch, capable of engaging targets within a 40-km range and a maximum altitude of 20 km. The system relies on the TRML-4D multifunction radar with AESA antenna, it scans the area in 360° coverage and a range of 250 km, altitude 30 km.
Five SLM systems and one extended-range SLX, capable of defeating threats in an 80 km range, will cost €182 million, or almost $200 million. The delivery deadline is 2032. Neither side of this deal has disclosed the amount Berlin compensated or any details on the equipment Bulgaria gave to Ukraine to earn this discount.
However, most likely among them are the 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems, observed in use with a Ukrainian mechanized brigade in September 2024, Defense Express notes. The origin of the systems was indicated by the characteristic solid green camouflage, atypical for Ukrainian military vehicles.
"Bulgaria anticipates additional compensation for further donations planned for 2025," the Army Recognition journalists note citing the announcement but the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense did not comment on the matter.
For reference, as of early 2023, the ground-based component of Bulgarian air defense comprised eight S-300PMU, twelve S-200 long-range systems, some S-125 and Kub medium-range (under 40 km) systems.
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