Defense
News about national defense, army activities, military policy, and the Ministry of Defense's announcements.
Radev to Award Honorary Sign to Three Military Personnel
President Rumen Radev will award the Honorary Sign to three military personnel for their contribution to the Armed Forces. The recipients are: Brigadier Admiral (ret.) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivan Yordanov, Rear Admiral (ret.) Dr. Nikolay Nikolov and Captain 1st Rank Lachezar Ivanov.
Defense Minister on 2026: Army Modernization Halted Due to Political Crisis and Lack of Budget
Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov stated that army modernization has been halted due to the political crisis and the lack of an approved budget. Despite progress in 2025, future modernization projects and the recruitment of military personnel are in question.
Epiphany Water Blessing Blesses the Battle Flags of the Bulgarian Army
The traditional Epiphany water blessing of the battle flags of the Bulgarian Army took place in front of the Unknown Soldier Monument in Sofia. President Rumen Radev reviewed the guard of honor.
Amendments to the Defense Act: Raising the Service Age, Protection from Drones, and More
Amendments to the Defense Act come into effect, including an increase in the maximum service age, the right to use weapons against drones, the definition of "deterrence," and other provisions. The President imposed a veto, which was overridden.
The Armed Forces in 2025: F-16s, New Ships, and Legislative Changes
An overview of key events for the Armed Forces in 2025 – the delivery of F-16s, new ships, legislative changes, and the challenges facing the army.
Bulgaria and Albania Discussed Their Contributions to NATO
The defense ministers of Bulgaria and Albania discussed their cooperation within NATO, emphasizing the development of deterrence and defense capabilities on the Alliance's Eastern Flank.
Ministry of Defense Signs Contract for 4327 Pistols for Land Forces
The Ministry of Defense has signed a framework agreement for the delivery of 4327 Springfield Armory Echelon 4.5 pistols for the Land Forces, valued at over 3.2 million leva, produced in Croatia. The contract has a term of 48 months.
The First F-16 Block 70s for Bulgaria and Slovakia Have Been Produced
Lockheed Martin announced the completion of production of the first batch of F-16 Block 70s for Bulgaria and Slovakia. The aircraft were manufactured in Greenville and will enhance national defense and NATO interoperability.
Bulgarian Defense: Where Do We Stand in the European Military Landscape?
Bulgaria has increased its military spending to 2 billion euros, but ranks 19th in the EU. The effectiveness of the budget is being discussed in light of global challenges and geopolitics.
Modernization of the Armed Forces and the Role of the Military Education System – AFCEA TechNet Sofia 2025
The annual AFCEA TechNet Sofia 2025 conference discussed security challenges, the modernization projects of the Bulgarian Army, and the role of the military education system. Emphasis was placed on the national SAFE plan, the acquisition of F-16s, the development of the Naval Academy, and the need for coordinated efforts between institutions to enhance defense capabilities.
Land Forces Celebrate Their Battle Day
Today marks the Land Forces Day, commemorating 147 years since its establishment and victory in the Serbo-Bulgarian War. The President will attend the celebrations, paying tribute to the heroes.
Radev on F-16: Lacks Ground Equipment for Fighter Jets
President Rumen Radev commented on problems with the maintenance of F-16s. The main problem is the lack of sufficient ground equipment, which threatens the operational readiness of the aircraft. Radev calls for a new contract for logistical support.
Defense Budget 2026: 2.708 Billion Euros
Minister Zapryanov announced a defense budget of 2.708 billion euros for 2026. Spending will reach 2.25% of GDP. A significant amount is allocated for personnel and modernization.
NSO Launches Investigation Over Video Featuring Foreign Delegation
The National Security and Protection Service (NSO) has announced an investigation following the leak of a video featuring a foreign delegation under its protection. The service emphasizes security standards and warns of risks associated with filming events.
Radev Returned Defense Law for Discussion
President Rumen Radev has returned the Defense Law for renewed discussion. He seeks clarification on the age limit for military service and other aspects, while protecting the rights of military personnel. The amendments also concern the deterrence of military threats.