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the military profession is unattractive due to the hardships and deprivations, the risks, the poor conditions and the outdated weaponry," the document states. 1/4 of the candidates for military service fail to meet the required standards during the medical examinations.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

Tax authorities urge influencers and online content creators to pay taxes

In the midst of the campaign to pay taxes for the past 2024, the National Revenue Agency has reminded influencers, bloggers, vloggers and other online content creators, as well as traders on social networks, that they are obliged to declare their income..

published on 1/31/25 6:14 PM

Taxi drivers block access to Sofia Airport Terminal 2

Taxi drivers gathered at Sofia Airport in protest, blocking access to Terminal 2 for a short time on Friday afternoon. They are unhappy with the new rules for staying at the airport, which came into force on January 9. According to the new rules, one..

updated on 1/31/25 6:11 PM

Contingent from Bulgaria, Austria, Romania and Hungary to guard the Bulgarian-Turkish border

A joint contingent of officers from Bulgaria, Austria, Romania and Hungary will strengthen the security of the Bulgarian-Turkish border from February 3 , the Ministry of Interior announced.  The start of the joint activity will be marked with an..

published on 1/31/25 6:09 PM