An analysis of the state and preparedness of the armed forces in 2024 was presented during the Chief of Defence Annual Conference in Sofia.

In their statements at the event, both President Rumen Radev and Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov agreed that the Bulgarian army needs more financing. Minister Zapryanov stated that at the NATO summit in The Hague it will be made clear whether we need to spend 2.5% or 3% of the GDP on defence. The speakers focused on one of the problems – the levels of understaffing within the armed force which jeopardizes their preparedness. Recruiting personnel for the land forces will be a priority in 2025. Military training at schools is something we need to consider as a solution to the problem of the understaffing, said President Radev. Minister Zapryanov explained that the issue is not part of the government’s governance programme but that the respective ministries are discussing it.