site.btaNumber of Recruits Joining Military in 2024 Exceeded Those Leaving for First Time in Many Years, Defence Minister Zapryanov Says

For the first time in many years, the number of people joining the military in 2024 was greater than those leaving, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said in response to a question from MP Ivaylo Mirchev of the Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria coalition, published on the National Assembly’s website on Thursday.

Despite this, the Ministry of Defence continues to work actively on several fronts, including a new vision for the development of officer corps, a new approach to military recruitment, and improving the methodology for determining higher pay for key positions, Zapryanov explained.

In response to another question from Mirchev regarding the deployment of a NATO multinational division headquarters on Bulgarian territory, Zapryanov noted that in the radically changed security environment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO has accelerated efforts to strengthen its deterrence and defence capabilities. As part of this, new regional defence plans for the protection of member states have been developed. Under the Southeast Regional Plan, a requirement has been established to create a division headquarters in Bulgaria. This requirement was also addressed to Bulgaria within the framework of NATO's Defence Planning Process, with Bulgaria taking on the commitment to establish such a unit under the new 2025 Capability Targets Package, Zapryanov explained.

An analysis conducted by the Defence Ministry on the feasibility of establishing a division headquarters recommended forming a NATO multinational division headquarters with Bulgaria as the Framework Nation and involving other member states. In line with NATO's established procedures, the Defence Ministry has taken steps to propose the creation of the headquarters on Bulgarian territory, pending approval from NATO authorities, Zapryanov added.

As the Framework Nation, Bulgaria is responsible for providing the necessary infrastructure and equipment for the headquarters to operate in both stationary and field conditions. To secure the required funding, projects for the construction and modernization of infrastructure and the procurement of equipment have been included in the Defence Investment Programme adopted by the National Assembly, which extends until 2032. Various locations within military zones in Sofia are being considered for the permanent stationing of the headquarters, the minister said.

Challenges related to establishing the NATO multinational division headquarters fall into several areas, according to Zapryanov. These include expected delays in NATO's decision to designate the headquarters as a multinational military structure due to the initiation of a new procedure in late 2024 for the proposal, evaluation, and approval of member states' offers to establish headquarters within NATO's Force Structure. Additionally, there is currently no financial provision for implementing the infrastructure and equipment projects outlined in the Defence Investment Program, Zapryanov concluded.