Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 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

A tragic road accident that claimed the life of a 12-year-old girl has sparked public outrage over the poor state of road conditions.

13,000 reports of poor road conditions have been filed by the Ministry of the Interior in 2024

The Ministry of the Interior has submitted 13,000 reports about poor road conditions in 2024 . This was revealed in an interview with Nova TV by Chief Commissioner Maria Boteva, who added that more than 2,000 additional reports were submitted in the..

published on 4/6/25 11:23 AM

Temperatures go down on Sunday, rain and snow in the forecast

Over the next 24 hours the weather in the country will be dynamic. After temporarily dispersing, after midnight the clouds will increase and the precipitation will pick up from the Northwest. During the day on Sunday the rain will continue, and..

published on 4/5/25 6:10 PM

Former athlete detained with 30 kgs. of cocaine worth over 5 million Leva

The Sofia district court has left 45-year old Bulgarian former athlete Petar Dachev in custody. Dachev was detained on 2 April in the region of Petrohan pass for possession of 30 kgs. of cocaine, public service TV BNT reports. The cocaine, hidden..

published on 4/5/25 5:39 PM