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

2023 Defense Status Report: Bulgarian army faces staffing shortages

Photo: armymedia.bg

Urgent measures are needed to prepare the reserve in peacetime, recommends the 2023 Defense Status Report. The document has been adopted by the government and tabled in parliament for approval. Within a year, she staffing shortage in the army increased from 19% to 21%. The shortage of officers is 26% and the shortage of sailors is 27%. The voluntary reserve is only 16%. In 15 years, the reserve will be completely depleted, the report reads. It recommends a public debate on the possible introduction of compulsory military training.

 Among the reasons for the shortage of military personnel are "malicious information campaigns regarding Russia's war against Ukraine." "For the majority of young people, the military profession is unattractive due to the hardships and deprivations, the risks, the poor conditions and the outdated weaponry," the document states. 1/4 of the candidates for military service fail to meet the required standards during the medical examinations.




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

Photo: Embassy of Bulgaria in Washington

Embassy of Bulgaria in USA hosts a Fulbright alumni reception

The Embassy of Bulgaria in USA hosted a Fulbright alumni reception . For over three decades, the Fulbright  P rogram has played a pivotal role in fostering educational and cultural ties between Bulgaria and the United States. ''Thanks to the..

published on 7/11/25 12:26 PM

National Assembly rejects fourth no-confidence motion against Rosen Zhelyazkov's cabinet

The National Assembly rejected the no-confidence motion against the cabinet of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov. This was the fourth motion of no confidence against the government, this time citing ''failure in the environment and water sector''. 83 MPs..

published on 7/11/25 10:11 AM

Skopje lodges a protest with the Bulgarian ambassador over the term “North Macedonian”

Bulgaria's Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement following the summoning of the Bulgarian ambassador to North Macedonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Skopje.  Skopje lodged an official protest with Ambassador Zhelyazko Radukov, as the..

published on 7/11/25 9:38 AM