Acquiring Missile Defense Systems a Bulgarian Priority, Defense Minister Says

Jerusalem, 30 April, 2025 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Acquiring modern, NATO-standard air and missile defense systems is a Bulgarian priority, said Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov during a discussion on military activity in Europe and the Middle East, organized by the Atlantic Reserve Officers’ Union, which is taking place at the Georgi Stoykov Rakovski Military Academy.

He recalled that last year Bulgaria signed a contract to acquire the German IRIS-T SLM medium-range system as part of the “European Shield for the Sky” initiative. According to him, this is just the beginning of the construction of a modern air defense (ADF) and missile defense (MDR) system that will protect the territory, population and forces of Bulgaria and its allies within the framework of NATO’s Integrated Air Defense and Missile Defense System.

Zapryanov noted that the war in Ukraine has shown the vital need for reliable and effective anti-missile and anti-air defense. If we do not have adequate, NATO-compatible air defense/missile defense capabilities, we remain vulnerable, so we must invest decisively today to avoid gaps in our defense capacity tomorrow, the minister commented.

Atanas Zapryanov pointed out that the acquisition of 3D radars, air defense and anti-drone systems is imminent. He added that our country is in the process of putting the first F-16 Block 70 fighters into operation, with the first batch of aircraft expected to arrive by the end of the year, and the rest by the end of 2027.

In order to effectively implement the modernization of the Armed Forces, we are determined to increase defense spending to at least 2.5–3% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as soon as possible and to maintain it sustainably in the long term, the Minister of Defense also commented.

He also said that today, together with the Minister of Finance, during a meeting of the Council of Ministers, they will present a joint report in connection with the upcoming decision by which Bulgaria will declare to the European Commission the activation of the clause for the exclusion of capital investments from the budget deficit.