Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

2023 Defense Status Report: Bulgarian army faces staffing shortages

Photo: armymedia.bg

Urgent measures are needed to prepare the reserve in peacetime, recommends the 2023 Defense Status Report. The document has been adopted by the government and tabled in parliament for approval. Within a year, she staffing shortage in the army increased from 19% to 21%. The shortage of officers is 26% and the shortage of sailors is 27%. The voluntary reserve is only 16%. In 15 years, the reserve will be completely depleted, the report reads. It recommends a public debate on the possible introduction of compulsory military training.

 Among the reasons for the shortage of military personnel are "malicious information campaigns regarding Russia's war against Ukraine." "For the majority of young people, the military profession is unattractive due to the hardships and deprivations, the risks, the poor conditions and the outdated weaponry," the document states. 1/4 of the candidates for military service fail to meet the required standards during the medical examinations.




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

Bulgarian national hero Hristo Botev monument reopens in Izmail, Ukraine, amid air raid sirens

In the Ukrainian city of Izmail, the refurbished monument to revolutionary poet Hristo Botev was officially unveiled today , even as air raid sirens sounded across the city, BTA reported. The ceremony, which was held as part of the Day of the..

published on 10/30/25 4:49 PM
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadzhov

Sofia aims at full OECD membership, vice PM Karadzov says

The government's political goal is for Bulgaria to become a full member of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development by the end of 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Grozdan Karadzhov told representatives of British businesses in Bulgaria...

published on 10/30/25 4:37 PM
Ekaterina Zaharieva

Bulgaria scores above EU average for women in STEM, roundtable finds

Bulgaria has a higher share of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields than the European Union average, according to a roundtable discussion on “Women in Innovation” held in Sofia. The forum highlighted that 49% of..

published on 10/30/25 4:16 PM