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

Bulgaria does not plan to purchase submarines by 2032

Photo: Veneta Nikolova

''There’s no money for new submarines'', said Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov. That’s why the defense investment projects through 2032 do not include the purchase of submarines, whether second-hand or small ones, added Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov. He explained that the Bulgarian Navy is rethinking its concept, with a shift in focus toward drone capabilities.

The Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, noted that submarines have been removed from the list of priorities, but the country needs them to ensure a much-needed deterrence against any aggression.

Russia and Turkiye are the only Black Sea countries that operate submarines. For the past five years, Bulgaria’s last submarine, Slava (Glory), has been docked as a museum exhibit in Beloslav, on the shore of Lake Varna.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photo: Veneta Nikolova



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

Yellow code for strong wind in 16 eastern and southwestern regions

On Wednesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 3 and 8°C. In the regions with strong wind it will be up to 10-12°C. In Sofia it will be around 4°C. In the western parts of the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Plain it will..

published on 11/25/25 7:50 PM

Drones to aid disaster and fire response in Burgas

Following a series of fires in the Burgas area last summer, including one that destroyed homes in a local villa district, the Burgas municipality has acquired high-tech drones equipped with thermal cameras, night vision, and 3D imaging . The two..

published on 11/25/25 7:01 PM

Bulgarian police break up migrant smuggling network

Illegal migrants from Syria, Iraq and Iran have been discovered in Sofia, and ten members of an organised criminal group have been arrested , Deputy City Prosecutor Desislava Petrova told reporters. Two of those arrested have been charged as the..

published on 11/25/25 6:48 PM