The National Assembly Defence Committee has given the green light for acquiring the German IRIS-T SLM air defense missile system. The bill was adopted at first reading. 10 MPs voted in favour and 3 MPs abstained. 

Bulgaria intends to purchase one IRIS-T SLM system at a total cost of EUR 182,114,311. An additional provision was made for the purchase of up to five IRIS-T SLMs and one long-range IRIS-T SLX system. The project is crucial for Bulgaria’s defense, as the country continues to rely on old Soviet-era systems, whose maintenance is severely hampered by Russia's war against Ukraine, said Mediapool.