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…
For decades, European NATO members curbed defense spending to fund other priorities. What remains, in the view of some US military experts, is a ’Potemkin Army’ that couldn’t stand up to an invader without American support. Source: Why Europe Is Unprepared to Defend Itself
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…
Denmark has announced plans to extend military conscription to women for the first time and increase the standard service time. It also wants to boost its defence budget by nearly $6bn (£4.6bn) in the next five years to meet Nato targets. “We do not rearm because we want war. We 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…
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 He argued that relying on outdated Russian equipment might evoke nostalgia but doesn’t match the combat capabilities of modern technologies attainable by the Bulgarian government.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…
In November 2011, GRU unit 29155 blew up an ammunition depot in Lovnidol, Bulgaria, containing artillery shells destined for Georgia. It was the first known terrorist attack carried out by a team of assassins and saboteurs who would later poison Sergei and Yulia Skripal in England, a Bulgarian arms dealer in Sofia and blow up Read more…
Five people suspected of spying for Russia are to be charged with conspiracy to conduct espionage, UK prosecutors say. Orlin Roussev, 45, Bizer Dzhambazov, 41, Katrin Ivanova, 31, Ivan Stoyanov, 31, and Vanya Gaberova, 29, will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday. The Bulgarian nationals are accused of conspiring Read more…
Two of the three Bulgarians arrested for spying for Russia – Biser Djambazov and Katrin Ivanova – were members of polling stations in elections held on the island and probably have connections with the pro-Russian party “Vazrazhdane“, writes the British newspaper “Telegraph”. The publication refers to sources from Sofia. On August 15, it became clear that three Bulgarians were Read more…