SOFIA, Bulgaria (BulgarianMilitary.com) – The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence has awarded a contract for the repair of 10 T-72 tanks at a total value of BGN 5 140 200 (with VAT). This was stated by a reporter at BGNES Agency, citing the Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.

The overhaul will be carried out by the military and machine building plant “Terem – Han Krum” located in the town of Targovishte, Bulgaria, where since the beginning of this year, a team of 77 people has started working on the order, bTV reports. The repair of each of the main battle tanks will last for eight months.

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Under the contract, “Terem – Han Krum” will be responsible for providing the necessary spare parts, replacing the tank units that cannot be repaired, and fitting with spare parts, tools and accessories. The transport and insurance are at the expense of “TEREM-HOLDING”.

Initially, it was announced that 13 Т-72 MBTs and 60 sighting systems will be repaired.

In his comment, the executive director of Terem Holding Ivan Doskov states that the price is not high and even with it the company will barely make a profit as the tanks have not been repaired for a long time. “Our price is lower than those offered by Czech and Polish factories,” he added.

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Ivan Doskov explains that the repair process of the T-72 begins with their dismantling and identifying the parts that can still be used. After that, spare parts will be delivered, followed by assembling and testing each MBT. Ivan Doskov specified that the 10 T-72s would undergo a repair, not an upgrade.

After the overhaul, the armored vehicles can be operational for another 2-3 years.

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The T-72 is the most modern tank in the Bulgarian army, which had entered service with it in the 1980s when about 600 MBT of this type were bought. After the reforms in the Bulgarian army, their number has been significantly shortened. According to open information, oyr country currently operates about 80 T-72 tanks planned to serve by 2020.

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BulgarianMilitary.com

Sources: BGNES Agency, Dnevnik