site.btaMEP Andrey Novakov: Bulgaria Is Far Ahead of Other Countries by Per Capita Sales of Defence Products

In terms of per capita sales of defence products Bulgaria is far ahead of all other countries, MEP Andrey Novakov of the European People's Party told journalists in Strasbourg.

For 2023 Bulgaria exported over BGN 4.2 billion in defence products alone. The industry employs 70,000 people, Novakov said.

In March, the European Commission presented a White Paper on European Defence - Readiness 2030 and the ReArm Europe Plan/Readiness 2030, which will make available over EUR 800 billion.

“The plan will disburse up to EUR 800 billion and since Bulgaria has one of the best developed defence industries in Europe, I see an opportunity for a significant percentage of this money to stay in Bulgaria,” the MEP said.

“We have companies that produce armoured vehicles at very competitive prices, selling to over 30 countries. A significant part of the ammunition used in Ukraine is also produced in Bulgaria. For some reason, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, politicians in Western Europe have decided that history is over and we have no one to protect ourselves from anymore. Fortunately, not in Bulgaria, we have continued to look for new markets, we have preserved our industry and this can save the whole of Europe now,” said Novakov.

“Cohesion money is not for buying bullets or guns. They can be used for infrastructure or innovations that are dual purpose,” the MEP explained and gave the example of satellites. According to a proposal of the European Commission, up to 15% of the money from cohesion funds can go, if the state decides, for defence, Novakov noted.

In his words, in recent months every policy has become a defence policy. “Whether we are talking about re-industrialization, environment, economy, transport and infrastructure - all have become defence policies,” Novakov said. The Eastern flank runs through Bulgaria and we should make the most of it, the MEP added.