Bulgaria will increase spending on the needs of the Ministry of Defense.
In 2027, Bulgaria will increase the budget of the Ministry of Defense by 17% - to 3.151 billion euros. Priority is given to the purchase of American and other weapons: F-16 aircraft, Stryker combat vehicles, patrol ships, coastal missile systems, radars, howitzers, ammunition and UAVs.
Total defense expenditures will amount to 2.23% of GDP. The authorities have already indicated another increase in this index: up to 2.45% in 2028 and 2.55% in 2029.
At the same time, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov admitted that the limited budget does not allow for an increase in the income of military personnel and civilian employees in the department. The shortage of manpower in the Bulgarian army exceeds 20%, and the government reserves funds to recruit new soldiers, but there is not enough money to increase salaries.