Defence Chief Eftimov: Defence Budget Should Be Adequate to Challenges

Petya Petrova

Nikola Uzunov/BTA Photo

Sofia,

03.09.2024 13:57

(BTA)

Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov said: "It is key for the future of the Armed Forces and Bulgaria that the defence budget is adequate to the challenges we face, 2% of GDP for defence spending is the bare minimum." We will see some of the results of the modernization of the army next year - the first eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft will be delivered, the first of 198 modern combat vehicles for the Land Forces, and the first of two multifunctional modular patrol ships for the Navy.”

“For us, as a military leadership, the stated political ambition for the development of four leading priorities is important - building and developing defence capabilities adequate to the security environment, caring for people in defence, further integration and participation of the country as an ally and active member of NATO and the EU and contributing to building national resilience,” Eftimov commented. The transformation of the Armed Forces is a purposeful, cyclical and comprehensive process, which is the result of a thorough analysis, he said.

Next year we will enter the third and final stage of the implementation of the Plan for the Development of the Armed Forces of Bulgaria until 2026. According to him, reality shows that constant study and analysis of modern concepts of the art of war is required.

/DD/