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

Bulgaria has the lowest defense spending compared to its neighbors

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov
Photo: BTA

Bulgaria will continue to help Ukraine in line with the decision of the National Assembly, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told bTV. "We will continue to support Ukraine as we have done so far. What we have done is based on the decisions of the National Assembly of 2022 and 2023", Minister Zapryanov said further.

The shortage of soldiers has increased from 25% to 30%. The shortage of Land Forces officers is 34%, Atanas Zapryanov said. He emphasized that increasing military salaries will not burden the state budget, where 2.5% of the country's GDP is earmarked for defense. According to Minister Zaptryanov, Bulgaria spends the least on defense compared to its neighbors. In his words, Romania and Greece spend 3% of their GDP on defence, while Turkiye spends 4% of its GDP on defense. Even Serbia spends more, Minister Zapryanov said.




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

Sunny Sunday with slightly higher temperatures

On Sunday it will be mostly sunny. The lowest temperatures will be between 4° and 9°C; in Sofia 3°-4°C. The highest temperatures will be between 18° and 23°C, in Sofia – around 19°C. In the mountains it will be mostly..

published on 5/17/25 7:00 PM

Thousands of Sofia citizens support introduction of “Virtues and Religions” in schools

A crowded procession in support of the introduction of the subject “Virtues and Religions” in schools took place in the center of Sofia. It was organized by civil organizations with the blessing of the Holy Synod. At the..

published on 5/17/25 4:14 PM

Mayor Vasil Terziev promises smooth conduct of matriculation exams if transport strike continues

Sofia Municipality declared that it would mobilize all its resources for the smooth conduct of the matriculation exams for high school graduates on May 21 and 23, Mayor Vasil Terziev announced on his Facebook page. Sofia remains..

published on 5/17/25 3:59 PM