Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Defence Minister Zakov: 2% of GDP for defence is insufficient, we need a higher percentage

Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov.
Photo: BGNES

The second batch of eight F-16 fighter jets could be delivered by 2027. This was said by Defence Minister Dragomir Zakov to the Defence Committee in Parliament. "We are still in talks with the American side. We have not yet reached the stage of negotiating a price offer. I expect that to happen sometime in June," he added.
The cost of the equipment that Bulgaria would have to buy is between 3 and 6.6 billion euros, Zakov said. 
2% of GDP would not be sufficient to cover the needs, so we should re-consider a higher percentage for defence, he said.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov

Borislav Gutsanov: There will be no increase in taxes or suspension of social payments

There will be no increase in taxes or suspension of social payments, Minister of Labor and Social Policy Borislav Gutsanov said  in an interview with public broadcaster BNT. Borislav Gutsanov stated that the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy..

published on 1/25/25 12:16 PM

Good conditions for winter sports and hiking in the Bulgarian mountains

Temperatures in the mountains are relatively high for the season and it is windy and foggy on higher ground. However, the conditions for winter sports and hiking in the mountains are good, reported BTA. On Friday it rained in some mountain areas,..

published on 1/25/25 10:54 AM

The Eurozone remains a priority for the government

The convergence report for joining the Eurozone will be requested after February 18, when the draft state budget is submitted. In an interview with public broadcaster BNT, Bulgaria’s Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated that the draft budget..

published on 1/25/25 9:58 AM