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SOFIA CHAPTER - 11/23/2022
The chapter has renewed its annual conferences. The title of TechNet Sofia 2022 was "Modernization of Armament and Equipment of Bulgarian Army." The event took place with the support of H.E. Rumen Radev, president of Bulgaria, and in partnership with the Ministry of Defence. More than 140 delegates from the armed forces, international defense industry and academia participated in presentations and discussions. Land forces, air force and navy commands reported on modernization plans and projects. AFCEA International President and CEO Lt. Gen. Susan Lawrence, USA (Ret.), delivered a video address to the conference, and European General manager Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF (Ret.), gave an opening speech and handed out certificates of appreciation to President Radev, Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov and Chief of Defence Adm. Emil Eftimov. In November, Gen. Staudacher, Konstantin Zografov, AFCEA regional vice president for South Eastern Europe, and Sofia Chapter President Simeon ... READ MORE
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 11/25/2019
The chapter held TechNet Sofia 2019, its annual conference, in November under the title "Industry and HiTech for Defense and National Security" under the patronage of Krasimir KaraKachanov, deputy prime minister for public order and security and minister of defense. Greeting addresses were delivered by the deputy ministers of defense, transport, information technology (IT) and communications and Ministry of Economy-official partners for the event. Maj. Gen. Krasimir Kanev, director, Defense Staff, presented first results of the initial defense review. The following companies presented their solutions and products: GD Mission Systems, TBS Ltd., Patria, WB Group, and Technologica.
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 12/03/2018
In December, the chapter hosted AFCEA TechNet Sofia 2018, which was also dedicated to the chapter's 25th anniversary. Members, partners and friends heard discussions on a wide spectrum of issues concerning modern technologies and their application in the defense and security sphere. These were topics that have been the focus of events over the years, and which are gaining importance as digitalization and cutting edge technology penetrate almost all spheres of society, defense and security. The Jubilee annual conference was under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense of Bulgaria H.E. Krassimir Karakatchanov with a special address from the EU Commissioner for Digital Society and Economy Maria Gabriel. Official partners of the event were MoD, e-Governance State Agency, Invest Bulgaria Agency and Defense Institute. During the conference, 25 institutions, including ministries, defense headquarters, force commands, academies, institutes and companies, and ... READ MORE
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 09/26/2017
In September, the international conference "Future Armed Forces 2040" began with the participation of more than 140 delegates from 12 countries. This conference is part of the Sofia Chapter's program for 2017 in cooperation with National Defense College under the patronage of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense HE Krassimir Karakachanov. Perspectives for development of armed forces were presented by Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Andrey Botsev; Maj. Gen. Tsanko Stoykov, Air Force commander; Rear Adm. Mitko Petev, Navy commander; Brig. Gen. Iavor Mateev, Special Forces commander; and Land Forces Commander's Chief of Office, Col. Trifonov. NATO views were shared by Alan Sheffer, director in NATO Science and Technology Organization and of air traffic control by Lt. Col. Sven Szabo.
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 12/12/2016
The chapter devoted its annual conference to the 70th anniversary of AFCEA International. The event, titled "Modernization of Defense and Security Sector: Building Capabilities," was held in December at the Central Military Club in Sofia, Bulgaria. The goal was to assist in identifying the most effective and current solutions for modernizing and building capabilities to meet current risks and challenges. The conference was structured in three panels: "Modernization of Bulgarian Armed Forces"; "Technical Aspects of Protection of National and European Air, Maritime and Land Borders"; and "Information and Cyber Security and Resilience." Deputy Minister of Defense Lt. Gen. Atanas Zaprianov, Land Forces (Ret.); Deputy Chief of Defense Vice Adm. Emil Eftimov, BU N; Deputy Commander of Land Forces Brig. Gen. Michail Popov; Deputy Commander Brig. Gen. Petyo Mirchev, BU AF; and Capt. Ivelin Kraev, BU N, explained modernization policy and programs. Professor Todor Tagarev, director of t ... READ MORE
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 11/15/2012
In November, the chapter organized its specialized conference titled “Swedish Technologies in the Defense and Security Sphere and the NATO Smart Defense Concept.” This event was a continuation of two previous conferences organized by the chapter on the same topic with the participation of Deputy Prime Minister Avgustina Tzvetanov and the Minister of Defense Anyu Angelov. Tzvetkova delivered a very focused and balanced speech. She underlined the high value of the smart defense concept, the support of the Ministry of Defense and the importance of the chapter's event. Konstantin Zografov, regional vice president for South Eastern Europe, and Stefan Stefanov, chapter board member, contributed to the good communication between lecturers and the audience. More than 70 experts from Ministry of Defense, the Bulgarian armed forces, the Ministry of Interior, the State Agency National Security, the State Commission on Information Security, the Ministry of Economy, Energy and Tourism, and the S ... READ MORE
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 07/20/2012
For more than seven years, the chapter has honored specialists achieving outstanding results in the field of communication and information systems. In July, coordinated with management from the Ministry of Defense, the chapter awarded Maj. Valeri Lyubomirov as a leader of the class titled “CIS Organization and Management in the Operating Units” at the Sofia Military Academy with a congratulatory address and a prize (a GSM phone).
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 07/01/2011
In July, the chapter presented an award to a member of the Sofia Military Academy - G.S. Rakovski. It has become a tradition for the chapter to honor the best specialist in the fields of communication and information systems. This year, the chapter coordinated with leadership from the Ministry of Defence to recognize Capt. Valery Todorov, leader of a class section titled “Organization and Management of CIS in the Operational and Tactical Formations,” with a diploma and prize. The AFCEA Educational Foundation provided funds for the award.
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 08/24/2011
In August, the chapter celebrated the 70th birthday of Dr. Simeon Kralikov, chapter president, at the Central Military Club in Sofia. Kralikov was born on August 12, 1941, and he graduated from the Higher Military School and served in missile forces. He successfully achieved a Doctor of Sciences degree in 1973 and went on to worked in a military research institute where he acquired the scientific rank of associated professor. In addition, Kralikov worked as a chief assistant responsible for the automation of land forces from 1982 to 1987 and later became a department head for the automation of troop management in headquarters. Kralikov is a founder of the chapter and has served as its president for 18 years. He successfully registered the chapter under conditions of a post-totalitarian communist regime and ensured its successful development. At the ceremony, he received several honors, including: a Lifetime Achievement Award and a gold ritual watch from Kent Schneider, presi ... READ MORE |
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 05/18/2011
In May, the chapter held its spring conference on the “Smart Approach to Comprehensive Security Operations.” Georges D'hollander, general manager, NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency, introduced attendees to the event. In addition, Dimitar Georgiev, deputy minister of interior, presented a special report focused on the high-tech solutions implemented by the Ministry of Interior for the protection of the European Union's external borders. During the report, he explained that the Republic of Bulgaria has the technical readiness to join the Shengen area.Representatives from the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Defense, the State Commission on Information Security, the National Security Agency and the G.S. Rakovski Staff College joined more than 30 experts from industry for the conference. Attendees also had the opportunity to hear the presentations delivered by the security authorities. |
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 04/01/2010
In April, the chapter received a visit from Kent R. Schneider, AFCEA International president and chief executive officer. During his presentation, Schneider discussed different organizational issues and AFCEA International's 500-day action plan with Col. Simeon Kralikov, BU A (Ret.), chapter president, and Konstantin Zografov, AFCEA International regional vice president for the Mediterranean and Black Sea Region. The chapter received a positive evaluation of the work it has accomplished since its inception 17 years ago. The chapter also arranged meetings with government officials, where Schneider had discussions with Lt. Gen. Anyu Angelov, BU A (Ret.), minister of defense; Konstantin Dimitrov, minister of foreign affairs; Pavlin Dimitrov, deputy minister of interior; and Tsveta Markova, chairperson of the State Commission on Information Security. Luke Johnson, political officer, U.S. Embassy, joined U.S. representatives for an official dinner, where they reviewed the existing partne ... READ MORE
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 11/26/2009
In November, the chapter hosted its 17th Annual TechNet Conference. The theme focused on Bulgaria's land, air and naval sovereignty and Shengen Agreement requirements as an external border to the European Union. More than 170 individuals and 37 companies from government, industry and technical universities attended the event. Presentation topics included technologies and solutions for the military, external and internal security, border control, disaster and crisis management, information security and integrated information systems. Rita Lewis, acquisition director of the NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency, served as a featured speaker. Her presentation focused on how to do business with NATO. H.E. Tsvetan Tsvetanov, deputy prime minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, presented on the political and legal aspects of the Shengen Agreement requirements and how the Ministry of the Interior has fulfilled those obligations. International companies such as Microsoft, Siemens a ... READ MORE
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 05/19/2009
In May, the chapter held its annual spring conference, "Capabilities of the National Communications System: Interoperability and Information Security." Plamen Vatchkov, chair of the State Agency on Information Technology and Communications, served as the master of ceremonies. Tzveta Markova, chair of the State Commission on Information Security, and Konstantin Zografov, AFCEA International regional vice president, also helped coordinate the event. Conference attendees included personnel and subject matter experts from the ministries of Defense and the Interior, the General Staff, the State National Security Agency and other organizations. Companies such as Microsoft, Siemens, Stone Computers and Keit presented their products and services. Rossen Natzkov, manager, Multi Media Group, accepted a plaque on behalf of his company's new corporate membership.
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SOFIA CHAPTER - 11/27/2008
The chapter held its 16th Annual Conference on Modernization of armament, equipment, information and communication technologies on November 27. It was held under the auspices of the Minister of Defense (MOD) of the Republic of Bulgaria and with the participation of Spas Panchev, deputy minister of defense; Directors of Armament Policy and Communication and Information Systems (CIS) Directorates; and officers from the MOD and general staff. Col. Simeon Kralikov (Ret.), chapter president, opened the conference, and sessions were chaired by Konstantin Zografov, regional vice president, and Dr. Veselin Celkov, a chapter executive board member. Companies providing presentations included Microsoft, Boldon James, ARCUS, BAE Systems, Siemens Enterprise Communications, Global Consulting, Selex Comunications, Stone Computers and Keit. In addition, 42 companies from 11 countries exhibited at the event. During a special ceremony, an AFCEA membership certificate was presented to Vassil Botush ... READ MORE
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