site.bta Defence Minister Satisfied with Increase of Defence Outlays in 2016 Draft Budget

Defence Minister Satisfied with Increase of Defence Outlays in 2016 Draft Budget

Sofia, November 11 (BTA) - Defence Minister Nickolay Nenchev said, speaking to reporters on Wednesday, that he is satisfied with the increase of the outlays for defence to 1.35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product in the 2016 draft budget. The planned allocation of additional 80 million leva each for the Air Forces and the Navy and more than 40 million leva for the Land Forces is a big success for the Armed Forces, Nenchev said. He said the Ministry is already receiving positive feedback about the increase in the defence budget from partners. The Minister said several projects start for modernization of the armed forces, namely the building in Bulgaria of two new ships, supply of 13 or 14 machines for the Land Forces, repair works on jet fighters and a procedure for the purchase of new aircraft.

Nenchev said no cuts are planned in the Armed Forces themselves, but there will be streamlining of the administration.