Whoa, sit down and hold on tight, because what I found out today made me drop my beer at Fane's terrace! The Bulgarians, our brothers to the south, just approved a 195 million euro expense for seven long-range radar systems from Thales. And us? We're bragging with some American radars from 1998, back when we were still listening to Nadia Comăneci on cassette, bro! And yet we're the ones strutting around with NATO and the Patriot. Hold on, let me explain.

The Sofia parliament voted with 186 votes 'for' and only three 'against'. Three, man! That's almost unanimous. Their Defense Minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, said it's a long-term program and no Bulgarian company wanted to get involved. Makes sense, it's Thales, the French, not the handymen from the south. These systems are state-of-the-art, to modernize air surveillance and meet NATO commitments. Seriously, they're moving, we're scratching our butts.

Now, here's the kicker: Romania has similar equipment, but from 1998. Exactly, 28 years ago! Five AN/FPS-117E(T) radars, also long-range, American. They detect targets at 460 kilometers and up to 33,000 meters altitude. Back then we paid 60 million euros for them. Now the Bulgarian pays triple and gets seven units, we're stuck with the same five oldies. And Mioara asks why I don't buy a new watch, because the Rolex from Dubai has faded. Well, look, it's the same with the state: if you don't invest, you're left with the same toys from Iliescu's time.

According to sources, those five radars cost us 60 million about three decades ago. Now the Bulgarian pays 195 million for seven new systems. Do the math: the price per unit is about 27 million, roughly double what we paid back then, but it's new technology, not old junk. And me, with my 2008 BMW, I look at the neighbor with the new Audi and say I'd want one too, but I don't have it. Well, that's Romania: we look at the Bulgarians buying radars and we brag that we have ones from 30 years ago. Let's be serious!

Now, don't think I'm against NATO or military spending. But it pisses me off when you see the neighbors moving faster than us. And so, instead of being leaders, we're stuck with the same equipment from the time when 'Măi, măi, măi' was playing on the radio. Caragiale would be proud of our stupidity, bro! Alright, I'm off to explain to Mioara why my BMW is like these radars: old, but still running. Only I don't know how much longer it'll last, especially when I see the Bulgarians have beaten us to it in this department too.