site.btaVaptsarov Naval Academy Holds Initial Commissioning Ceremony

An initial commissioning ceremony at the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy here on Sunday traditionally brought to a close observances of the Day of the Bulgarian Navy, which turned 145 on August 11.

Thirty-one graduates of the Academy were awarded their first officer ranks. Top of the Class of 2024 is Senior Chief Petty Officer Rafael Kanev, whose specialty is Organization and Management of Tactical-Level Military Units. Senior Chief Petty Officer Dimitar Dimitrov excelled in the Naval Ship-Handling specialization, and Toni Georgieva in the Cyber Operations specialization.

Attending the ceremony were caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, and the Rector of the Naval Academy, Flotilla Admiral Prof. Boyan Mednikarov D.Sc.(Mil.).

Addressing the graduates, Zapryanov thanked them for "the highly moral and responsible choice" to dedicate their life and career to the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

"The Defence Ministry leadership is doing everything possible to live up to your choice and motivate you to serve your country. Preparations are underway for a tangible pay rise, new perks, as well as technological modernization and renovation to give you a reason to be proud of your profession," he added. 

Zapryanov said that the Armed Forces modernization demands heavy investments because during the last decade the Black Sea has become a zone of enormous energy projects, political and military tensions, growing military capabilities and confrontations. "Owing to the changed situation, the NATO Strategic Concept prioritizes the defence of the Black Sea region," he pointed out.

"All we, who are present at this festive occasion, are convinced that you will stand up for Bulgaria's national interests, sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence with intelligence, responsibility and will power," Admiral Eftimov said for his part, turning to the Class of 2024. "You will be the ones who will take the Navy to the new stage of its development, for which we have been working continuously for many years now," the Chief of Defence added.

Admiral Eftimov thanked the management of the Academy, the commanders and the faculty members, noting that by their visionary brilliance they succeed in rising up promptly to the challenges of the volatile environment and in adjusting the learning content by implementing ever newer forms of instruction. "The Naval Academy is a standard setter in the maritime field," the Chief of Defence pointed out. 

The flag raising ceremony and the initial commissioning were also attended by National Assembly Defence committee Chair Hristo Gadzhev, MPs, Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, Varna Regional Governor Andriyana Andreeva, Romanian and Turkish naval commanders, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Italian Navy, Vice Admiral Claudio Gaudiosi, the Military Security Adviser to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, Vice Admiral Mitko Petev, and a large number of local residents and visitors of Varna.  

Speaking to journalists earlier on Sunday, Defence Minister Zapryanov said that, in addition to the project for acquisition of two new modular patrol vessels, work is also in progress on other Armed Forces modernization projects, including the acquisition of countermine-warfare ships, a new coastal system for ship traffic surveillance and sea border protection, of drones and anti-drone defence, etc. "The situation requires sustained mine countermeasures. This will be a long-term effort for the Black Sea maritime space," Zapryanov pointed out. He hopes that the State leadership and the future parliaments will continue to allocate financial resources for defence at 2.5% of GDP.

"The Bulgarian Armed Forces are always ready to help people in distress. They have 96 specialized modules equipped and prepared to assist in tackling fires, flooding and other natural disasters," Zapryanov said, replying to a reporter's question.