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

Stanislav Balabanov

Bulgarian Parliament to issue declaration against sending Bulgarian soldiers to Ukraine

Over 70% of Bulgarians are categorically against sending a military contingent to Ukraine. This was stated by Dimitar Ganev from the sociological agency “Trend” in an interview for the Bulgarian National Radio. President Radev opposes sending..

published on 2/20/25 1:14 PM

No one has requested Bulgaria's participation in a peacekeeping operation in Ukraine

Nowhere and in no way has anyone discussed the issue of sending troops to Ukraine to participate in hostilities between Russia and Ukraine, Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev told MPs in parliament. Foreign Minister Georgiev..

published on 2/20/25 11:34 AM
Photo: Consulate General of Bulgaria in Los Angeles

Beverly Hills declares March 3 as Bulgarian–American Friendship Day

On February 19th, the day when Bulgarians worldwide commemorate 152 years since the passing of the Apostle of Freedom, Vasil Levski, Bulgaria’s National Liberation Day, March 3rd, received special recognition in Beverly Hills.  Mayor Lester Friedman..

published on 2/20/25 10:09 AM