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

President and defence minister agree more money needed for defence

Photo: FB/Rumen Radev

An analysis of the state and preparedness of the armed forces in 2024 was presented during the Chief of Defence Annual Conference in Sofia.

In their statements at the event, both President Rumen Radev and Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov agreed that the Bulgarian army needs more financing. Minister Zapryanov stated that at the NATO summit in The Hague it will be made clear whether we need to spend 2.5% or 3% of the GDP on defence. The speakers focused on one of the problems – the levels of understaffing within the armed force which jeopardizes their preparedness. Recruiting personnel for the land forces will be a priority in 2025. Military training at schools is something we need to consider as a solution to the problem of the understaffing, said President Radev. Minister Zapryanov explained that the issue is not part of the government’s governance programme but that the respective ministries are discussing it. 



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

Iliana Iotova: I would not try to prejudge the Constitutional Court’s decision on the euro referendum

Regarding the intention stated by President Rumen Radev to refer the matter to the Constitutional Court, Vice President Iliana Iotova told journalists that she would in no way prejudge the decision of one of the most authoritative..

published on 5/17/25 3:36 PM

Civic group organizes national protest against adopting the euro

A national protest against the introduction of the euro and demanding the resignation of the government will be held on May 31, it became clear at a public discussion on the topic "How to save the lev" in Hall 1 of the National..

published on 5/17/25 1:19 PM
National Art Gallery

Museum and art gallery workers go on symbolic strike

On the eve of the European Night of the Museums and the International Museum Day, museum and art gallery professionals are protesting symbolically under the slogan: “For decent wages!”, BTA reports. “On ​​ the day of the protest,..

published on 5/17/25 11:16 AM