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Defense spending should reach 2.5% of GDP: Defense Minister

Radostin Iliev
Photo: BTA

It is our intention that even with the 2025 budget, defense spending will reach a higher level than 2.5% of the Gross Domestic Product, said the Deputy Minister of Defense Radostin Iliev during the commemoration of the Day of the Military Parachutist in Plovdiv. He pointed out that the allocated 2% is already proving insufficient, and that the requirements of the modern security environment and the experience of the allies require a higher expenditure in the field of defense.

Radostin Iliev emphasized that this year the pay in the army has increased by an average of 10%, and for next year the funds are planned to increase by about 30 percent. The process of modernization and rearmament of the Bulgarian army will continue at an accelerated pace in the future, added the deputy minister.

"Throughout the year, the entire personnel had great merit for the successful participation and performance of tasks in dozens of national and international exercises," said the commander of the Joint Special Operations Command, Gen. Yavor Mateev.



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