2024-10-03 20:23:48
The Italian supplier company owes BGN 69,000 in fines, for now
Bulgaria will be left with only one medical helicopter this year, as the delivery of the next two will be delayed. This is clear from an official letter that the Italian supplier company “Leonardo” sent to the Ministry of Health.
Initially, the second air ambulance was supposed to arrive in our country by June 30 this year. A postponement was made in May and so its delivery was expected in November. The company then assured that there would be no problems with the third helicopter and that it would also arrive by the end of December 2024. However, Leonardo now informs the ministry that the second helicopter will be delivered in January 2025, and the third in February. In addition, the Italians make the stipulation that these terms are not final either.
The problems stem from delays in the provision of key components for both helicopters, which also affect other activities on the final assembly line, Leonardo explained.
The contract they and the Ministry of Health have signed allows for only a 60-day delay in the delivery of the second air ambulance. After that, for each subsequent day of deviation from the deadlines, corresponding sanctions are imposed. So far, Leonardo has been fined BGN 69,749.17. If the second helicopter does not arrive by January 31, 2025, the company will have to pay BGN 284,503.22.
The first and so far only medical helicopter under the contract arrived in our country on February 1 of this year. and completed its first mission on June 4. Since then, he has participated in nearly 30 missions to rescue seriously injured people, transport patients from one hospital to another, etc. From the middle of September, however, it went into service for mandatory maintenance after completing 200 flight hours and for the installation of the so-called black box so currently not available. The tests have already passed and it is expected to be certified, the health ministry said.