Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2026 All Rights Reserved

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov outlines plans to modernise Bulgaria's defence capabilities

Caretaker defence minister Atanas Zapryanov
Photo: BGNES

One urgent project is the dredging of the port of Varna to give it the necessary depth to accommodate the country's new warships, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said in an interview with the daily 24 Chasa. Mr Zapryanov is continuing consultations begun by his predecessor, Todor Tagarev, on the temporary stationing in Bulgaria of NATO's mobile air and anti-ship defence units. The Minister emphasised that Bulgaria's air defence is provided by the S-300 and S-200 complexes. 

Minister Zapryanov listed other tasks to be completed: the construction of a communications system for the land forces, the establishment of a headquarters for a multinational division, the project for the acquisition of drones, the modernisation of the Graf Ignatyevo airbase to accommodate the new F-16s, and the construction of infrastructure for Stryker armoured vehicles.



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

A warning for dangerous rainfall has been issued for 12 regions in Southern Bulgaria

On Friday, the lowest temperatures will be between 4°C and 9°C, reaching up to 12°C in the southeast, around 6°C in Sofia . During the next 24 hours, the weather will remain cloudy. It will rain in almost the entire country. During the day, rainfall..

published on 11/27/25 6:45 PM

Varna mayor Blagomir Kotsev released pending trial on €102,258 bond

The Varna District Court has released the city’s mayor, Blagomir Kotsev, on a financial bond of €102,258. Before the court’s decision was announced, supporters of the mayor and members of the We Continue the Change party gathered outside the..

published on 11/27/25 5:37 PM

Three detained and five police officers injured at last night's protest in Sofia

Three people, including an Italian citizen, were arrested during last night's protest against the adoption of the 2026 budget in front of the National Assembly, the director of the Sofia Directorate of Internal Affairs, Chief Commissioner Lyubomir..

published on 11/27/25 3:50 PM