Bulgaria adopts new defense strategy

published on 4/14/11 12:30 PM

Photo: BGNES

On April 13, Bulgaria adopted a new National Defense Strategy, which updates the existing defense strategy of the country according to the Strategic Concept of NATO, adopted in November 2010. What are the new trends in defense?

Bulgaria’s national defense will continue to be implemented within the framework of NATO’s collective security and according to the security policy of the EU. In case of an attack the army must ensure that NATO forces will take their positions fast.
It was pointed out that there was a growing threat of ballistic attacks against targets in Bulgaria. There is no country mentioned as a potential threat although it is known that only Iran has rockets able to reach Bulgaria. In order to cope with the threat, Bulgaria will be covered by NATO’s anti-missile shield.
The Bulgarian military will continue to participate in three different types of missions – defense, peace making, and contributing to the national security during time of peace.

In relation to international missions, the strategy envisages that the number of personnel will not be exceeding 1000 people. This means that the current number could increase by 250 people. The increase of 33% may sound as something serious but Bulgaria is still far from NATO criteria according to which 10% of the country’s army should be able to take part in international missions. Today, the number of Bulgarian soldiers taking part in international missions is just 4% out of the total number of the military. Land and marine forces have already participated in international missions. The new strategy envisages participation of the air forces, too.

According to the strategy, the military budget of the country must not exceed 1.5% of the GDP. During the first years of its NATO Membership Bulgaria spent between 2.8 and 2.2% of its GDP for the army. The economic crisis, however, reduced the budget to 1.4%. The 2011 budget of the army will not provide enough finances for major modernization and buying of new equipment. The budget is insufficient as it is actually a part of a relatively low GDP.

The new Defense Strategy of Bulgaria is also characterized by the fact that it is open to changes. In 2015 it can be revised according to the political and economic conditions, while in 2020 there will be a full revision.

English: Alexander Markov

По публикацията работи: Stoimen Pavlov

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Bulgaria adopts new defense strategy

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