A successful test flight of the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 fighter was carried out on October 22 at the Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant in Greenville, South Carolina, according to statements by Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry and the company. During the flight, a large number of system tests were performed to Read more…
Amid growing concerns over security in the wake of the conflict in Ukraine, Bulgaria‘s Acting Minister of Defense, Atanas Zapryanov, has addressed the issue of conscription, stating that while it is being discussed, no political decision has been reached as of yet. Zapryanov’s remarks came during discussions in Parliament regarding military formations and structures to Read more…
The United States and its allies are concerned about a potential attack by Iran or its proxies on military and government targets in Israel. The attack, believed to be imminent, would be in response to the killing of Iranian generals in Damascus, escalating the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. There is uncertainty regarding the origin of Read more…
Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov revealed the plans for the thorough modernisation of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, estimating a budget exceeding BGN 37 billion. Speaking at a conference commemorating the 20th anniversary of Bulgaria‘s NATO membership, held at Sofia’s Central Military Club, Zapryanov emphasized the critical need for investment in defence capabilities. The three-day forum, commencing Read more…
Bulgaria has experienced a staggering increase in arms imports, rising by 920% between 2019 and 2023 compared to the period of 2014 to 2018. This significant surge in arms procurement was revealed in a report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), highlighting a notable shift in Bulgaria‘s defense strategy. The SIPRI report also shed light on Read more…
Bulgaria is currently exposed to the threat of ballistic missile attacks and is in critical need of upgrading its air defense capabilities, warns Deputy Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov in an interview with Nova TV. Seeking assistance from the United States, Zapryanov emphasized discussions on acquiring air defense and anti-ship defense systems. While the U.S. is a crucial partner in Bulgaria‘s military modernization Read more…
Bulgaria‘s Minister of Defense, Todor Tagarev, has announced a substantial infrastructure development plan valued at EUR 6 billion, aimed at serving both NATO requirements and civilian purposes. The multifaceted initiative encompasses the construction of roads, railways, oil pipelines, warehouses, and accommodation buildings, positioning Bulgaria as a strategic hub for NATO activities. One of the key components of this comprehensive Read more…
“Justice will not prevail if Russia remains in possession of even one square kilometer of Ukrainian territory and does not bear responsibility for the destruction caused and the war crimes committed”. This is what Defense Minister Todor Tagarev said in the discussions on the motion of no confidence in the government for the defense Read more…
Kiril Petkov, co-chair of “We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria” (WCC-DB), backed the “Denkov-Gabriel” cabinet, emphasizing Bulgaria‘s defense strategy focusing on modernizing the army with 21st-century technologies. He argued that relying on outdated Russian equipment might evoke nostalgia but doesn’t match the combat capabilities of modern technologies attainable by the Bulgarian government. Petkov Read more…
The Bulgarian Army is still looking for military personnel. The positions are in the Ground Forces, the Logistics Support Command and the Joint Special Operations Command. The largest number of military personnel is sought for the Logistics Support Command – 280 people. Applications are due by January 27. But this is also the newest structure in our army – it Read more…