Bulgarian Army would like to create first reconnaissance drone unit to join AGS NATO program 3107122

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Defense News - Bulgaria

 
 
Tuesday, July 31, 2012, 08:36 AM
 
Bulgarian Army would like to create first reconnaissance drone unit to join AGS NATO program.
The Bulgarian Army would form its first reconnaissance drone unit next year, and would use it in NATO operations worldwide, Defence Minister Anyu Angelov said here on Friday, July 27, 2012.
     
The Bulgarian Army would form its first reconnaissance drone unit next year, and would use it in NATO operations worldwide, Defence Minister Anyu Angelov said here on Friday, July 27, 2012.
NATO plans to acquire an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that will give commanders a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground.
     

"In 2013, for the first time we will select and acquire unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance that will become part of the future Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) battalion," Angelov told a press conference.

According to Angelov, the number of drones that Bulgaria would buy would depend on the country's financial resources available.

The minister added Bulgaria was among the participating nations in the Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that would be fully operational in 2017. NATO plans to acquire an Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) system that will give commanders a comprehensive picture of the situation on the ground. NATO’s operation to protect civilians in Libya showed how important such a capability is. A group of Allies intends to acquire five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the associated command and control base stations. NATO will then operate and maintain them on behalf of all 28 Allies.

The AGS system is expected to be acquired by 13 Allies (Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Norway, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and the United States), and then will be made available to the Alliance in the 2015-2017 timeframe. This key transatlantic procurement programme is in its final approval phase before the 13 nations authorise contract signature.