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

Modernization program of the Bulgarian army is not financially secure: Defence Minister

Dimitar Stoyanov, caretaker defence minister
Photo: BGNES

The caretaker Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov has commented that there are gaps and ambiguities in the decision adopted by the last parliament on the modernization of the Bulgarian army by 2032. No financial security has been envisaged, he claims.


It is written that weapons and equipment should only be acquired from countries in the EU and NATO, which excludes Israel or Switzerland. The provision of a military aircraft to replace the decommissioned MiG-29 until the arrival of the F-16s ordered from the USA is also a problem. The deadline for finding planes is February 15, and negotiations with Sweden, France and Israel are still ongoing, Stoyanov said. 

The ministry has also requested bids for the acquisition of 3D radars, infantry fighting vehicles, 155-mm howitzers and anti-aircraft missile systems, to be purchased with installment payments of up to 15 years.



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

Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and Admiral Emil Eftimov

NATO's Multinational Battle Group in Bulgaria to be upgraded to brigade level

The Multinational Battle Group in Bulgaria is in an excellent position to grow and upgrade to brigade level. This was stated at the Novo Selo training ground by Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee . At the Novo Selo..

published on 7/16/25 10:53 AM

Memorandum boosts involvement by Bulgarian industry in rearming the army

On Defence Industry Day, 16 July, a memorandum of cooperation will be signed between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and the Ministry of Innovation and Growth with the defence industry. “This memorandum will..

published on 7/16/25 9:15 AM

The Bulgarian presidency of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee session has ended

An official reception at the Bulgarian Embassy in Paris marked the closing of the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee. Among those present were the chair of the session Prof. Nikolay Nenov, the director of the World Heritage Centre..

published on 7/16/25 8:45 AM