site.btaUPDATED Chief of Defence Holds Annual Conference, Presents Analysis on Condition of Armed Forces in 2023

Bulgarian Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov Tuesday opened his annual conference with an analysis of the condition of the Armed Forces in 2023. This year the conference will last three days, until February 22. The analysis was presented at a closed-door segment of the forum in the presence of President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief Rumen Radev, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev, the head of the parliamentary defence committee, Hristo Gadzhev, top brass, the national representatives in the command structures of NATO and the EU, high-level officials of the Defence Ministry and the Defence Staff, and the heads of units under the Defence Minister.

The press heard details about the analysis from the comments of Admiral Eftimov, President Rumen Radev and Defence Minister Tagarev.

In his remarks to reporters, the Chief of Defence said that Bulgaria is lagging behind in the region, which is why a broad public consensus is needed on investment in defence. "However the war in Ukraine ends, global confrontations won't end and money is to be spent for defence for decades to come," he added.

Admiral Eftimov said: "There is talk of a minimum of 2% of NATO's GDP for defence spending. When we reach that 2%, there is a technological time to see the results. Romania has been spending 2% since 2017 and now we can see how far ahead they are. Bulgaria is one of 18 NATO member states that will allocate 2% of its GDP to defence spending this year."

According to Emil Eftimov, the recruitment of personnel is linked to the condition of weaponry and equipment. "Young people want modern weapons and equipment, they want an intellectual challenge, not something to take them back into the past. The budget for the coming years is almost exhausted and there is no capacity for many other projects. The investment plan has two scenarios: for 2% and 2.5% [for defence spending]. If there is consensus in society, and will in the National Assembly, state political power, my call is that we catch up. This will have an impact on people and motivation, as well as Bulgaria's credibility in the regional and international context."

The assistance to Ukraine goes in parallel with the modernization of the Bulgarian army, Admiral Eftimov said. In his words, the more new weapons Bulgaria acquires, the more will become dispensable.

On the agenda of the second and third day of the conference are reports by the Defence Staff and armed forces commanders, among others, said the Defence Ministry.

This year's edition of the Chief of Defence annual conference is titled "Challenges to national planning, conduct and procurement for operations in the context of the allied defence plans".