Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

The modernization of the Bulgarian army requires 3-4% of country's GDP

Photo: BGNES

Bulgaria has to decide this year whether it will in any way extend its stock of MiG-29. At the Conference of Bulgaria's Chief of Defense in Sofia, with the participation of President Rumen Radev, it became clear that the option for a replacement platform until the arrival of the first F-16s in 2025 is not being implemented. 

Air Force experts emphasized that parts for the MiGs are hard to be delivered. The Bulgarian Air Force performs its duties in conditions of a deficit of financial and material resources and a lack of aviation equipment. However, continuous Air Policing duty has always been and will always be a top priority. 

The Bulgarian ground forces also recognized the need for funds to implement the modernization projects and demanded a clear political commitment from the state to the development of combat capabilities. 

For its part, the Bulgarian Navy reported that because of the war in Ukraine, many of the originally planned events were postponed or canceled. On the other hand, the control of shipping and the protection of maritime communications have been strengthened. According to the caretaker Minister of Defense Dimitar Stoyanov, due to the nearly 30-year delay in the modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces, financial resources to the tune of 3-4% of the country's GDP are currently needed.



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

On February 1, 2024 the first helicopter of the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service arrived in Bulgaria.

Delivery of two medical helicopters delayed until next year

There is a further delay in the delivery of the next two air ambulances to Bulgaria, the Italian manufacturer has said in a letter to the Ministry of Health. In the letter, the contractor, Leonardo S.p.A., set new deadlines for the arrival of the..

published on 10/3/24 3:30 PM
Iassen Tomov

Bulgaria seeks alternatives to evacuate citizens from Lebanon

Another evacuation flight from Lebanon to Bulgaria would be risky and almost impossible to organise , said Bulgaria's ambassador in Beirut, Iassen Tomov. Alternative options are being considered to bring the Bulgarian citizens home.  On Tuesday, 169..

published on 10/3/24 1:55 PM

Most Bulgarians are Euro-optimists, Eurobarometer survey shows

Most Bulgarians (60%) are optimistic about the future of the EU. The EU-wide figure is 65%, according to a Eurobarometer  post-election survey published by the European Parliament.  Positive attitudes towards the Community are also high - more..

published on 10/3/24 1:34 PM