Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister for Security, Krasimir Karakachanov, talked about the changes that started in the Bulgarian army and the regional security in the Balkans. He summarized the process of change as follows:

“I don't want to sound like I’m boasting, but what has not been done for 30 years, for example, projects for modernization of the armed forces, repair and modernization of the existing equipment, increasing the income of military officers, we had to do it in 2018-2019. This year the results have already begun to be seen. We have signed a contract to acquire the first 8 modern F 16 block 70 fighter jets. The process of upgrading the infantry forces with the new infantry machine and the two navy ships has reached the point where we have already received the bids. They are open and work in under way. And I hope next year we will finish this part of the modernization of the Bulgarian army.”

Under the contract with Lockheed Martin there is an option to purchase another half squadron. How will this process proceed?

The modernization project involves the acquisition of one squadron - 16 fighters. We have implemented the first part, the first 8 fighter jets. They should arrive by the year 2023-24. During this period, the second stage must be prepared for the acquisition of the remaining 8 aircraft. We have laid the groundwork and I am convinced that the conditions under which the next part of the contract will be concluded will be much better. In 3-4 years, this aircraft will already be in mass exploitation, because besides Bulgaria and Slovakia, which already have contracts for the F-16 Block 70, Romania is also showing interest. Croatia is carrying out talks right now. Greece has already declared its intention to modernize its existing aircraft to the level of Block 70. Contracts have been signed separately in Asia, i.e. it will already be an aircraft that will be on the market and since it will be mass-produced, its price will be much lower.

Bulgarian society seems to be indifferent to the topic of defence?

I will disagree with you. The public understands very well and the idea of ​​reinstating the compulsory military service is supported by 72% of the people. The idea of ​​returning the labour troops where the part of society that is illiterate and does not work could acquire a little discipline, consciousness and a profession, is supported by 81 percent of our citizens. The public sees that the situation around Bulgaria is not as rosy as one tries to imagine. The conflict in Syria and Iraq continues. Tensions between Turkey and Greece are mounting. In Turkey itself, which is our neighbour, there are 3 million illegal immigrants who may at some point go to our borders. There is real instability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The tension between Kosovo and Serbia is real. In the Black Sea region, the Ukraine-Russia tension is a fact. People see that the world is no safer than it was 10 or 20 years ago. And the public understands that we need an army. Look at the approval for the modernization of the army, which is done even though it costs money. The problem is in those politicians who in the last 20-25 years were explaining to the Bulgarian citizens that when we enter the EU, someone will start giving us some money and we will just have to live our lives. Or when we join NATO, someone else will protect us. The military draft was abolished - something that not only Greece and Turkey as NATO members did not do, but also Scandinavian countries like Finland, Norway and Sweden reinstated their military draft and Denmark never even abolished it.

Expect the second part of the interview with the Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov on the problems in the Balkans which Bulgaria will be faced with in the coming year 2020.