The government will set up a 1,000-strong rapid reaction battalion, Minister of Defense Stefan Yanev has told the parliament. In this way, the country will implement NATO's decisions to strengthen the Alliance's eastern flank and respond to the US request that Bulgaria deploys a contingent of 1,500 troops for rapid response. NATO's military command has started discussing the implementation of the defense measure in Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia and Hungary, Minister Yanev added.

The minister called for a change in slow and inefficient procedures for purchasing new weapons. Currently, any deal over 50 million euros must be approved by the government and parliament.