The country is not protected from ballistic missile attack and urgently needs to modernize its air defense systems, Deputy Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov said for Nova TV. "We discussed how the United States can help us with air defense and anti-ship defense systems. The United States is our main partner in the modernization of military aviation and ground forces. There is no agreement for the deployment of air defense systems, such discussions are ongoing. We have old Soviet systems and it is time to replace them", Atanas Zapryanov explained.

 However, it will be difficult for Bulgaria to acquire Patriot systems, because production is small and even if they are ordered, they will be ready in 8 or 9 years, Deputy Minister Zapryanov contends. In his words, the Balkans are vulnerable, because they are an old area of Russian interest. "Since 2008, Russia has been consistent in its actions, using military force to annex territories. First Georgia, then Crimea, now Ukraine", explained Atanas Zapryanov.