Filling military vacancies - a key objective in the defence sector 

Filling the large number of vacancies in the armed forces and improving their social status and motivation is the main objective of the Governance Programme for the period 2025-2029 in the "Defence" sector .

Other expected outcomes of this programme include the technological upgrading and modernisation of the armed forces, as well as increasing operational compatibility with allies. In addition, defence spending is planned to reach 2.5% of GDP.

"The exodus from the army has stopped," said Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov. According to him, the increase in military salaries is proving effective, but a social package is also needed. "Initial recruitment to military schools is approaching 70% of available places," he added.

The document also reveals the need to establish a NATO multinational division headquarters in Bulgaria, as well as the so-called "military Schengen" to improve military mobility.