Defense industry has an important share in Bulgaria’s economy, Academician Stefan Vodenicharov, co-chairman of the Bulgarian Defense Industries Association has told the Bulgarian National Radio, commenting on recent scandals over licenses of defense factories.

For the past year, turnover of the Bulgarian companies is over 1.1 billion and it should be kept in mind that the defense industry employs directly over 25-30 thousand people, as the number has been rising, he said.

Competition on the global market is fierce and keeping our market positions is extremely important for the entire defense industry of Bulgaria. The issues related to this sector are of geopolitical importance, too, Mr. Vodenicharov added.