Only 5% of Bulgaria’s defence output stays with national army

Only around 5% of Bulgaria’s defence production remains for the needs of the Bulgarian army, while the vast majority is exported, Yordan Bozhilov, director of the Sofia Security Forum, said during a conference on defence preparedness organised by the European Parliament’s office in Bulgaria, according to BTA.

Bozhilov said there was a lack of coordination between the state and defence manufacturers regarding military production needs. “The government must clearly define its requirements, while companies should specify what they are capable of producing,” he said.

According to him, Bulgarian defence enterprises mainly manufacture components, whereas the army requires complete end products.

Bozhilov also warned that Eastern Europe remains more vulnerable and less prepared to address regional security risks.

He argued that the sector should develop through closer European and regional cooperation, particularly amid what he described as declining US engagement within NATO.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova