site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian Defence Industry Capacity is of Great Interest, Says Defence Minister Tagarev

At the 19th National Innovation Forum Innovations and Sustainable Growth held in Sofia on Tuesday, Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said that until recently, the traditional Bulgarian defence industry was considered obsolete, but now that an intense war is being waged not far from the Bulgarian border, the capacity it has in manufacturing ammunition, small arms and light weapons, repair of equipment and optical instruments is of great interest. He explained that there have been investments from the European Commission, for which decisions are expected to further expand capacity.

Minister Tagarev hopes not just to build an additional technological line, but, working with leading companies from the defense industry, for Bulgarian companies to introduce new technologies, innovative approaches and management. This will help them to gradually integrate into the supply chain of major manufacturers, thus ensuring the stability of their development, he added.

The Defence Minister said that national innovation policies require transparency and predictability. He recalled that at the end of last month, the government adopted an investment programme, which, with a set budget framework for the next three years of just over 2% of GDP defence costs, and provides over BGN 18 billion for investments within 10 years, between 2023 to 2032. They are expected to drive innovation in defence and create opportunities for the defence industry.

For the first time in past 30 years in Bulgaria, funds were set aside for scientific research in defence, which will reach 1% of the budget of the Ministry of Defence by 2032 (over BGN 50 million), said Minister Tagarev. He noted that when there is a certain need and possible solutions, this country should have the resources and capacity to test different operational concepts of how something can be used so that it can be implemented in the fastest way. In addition, where there are no ready-made products for new needs, Bulgaria should be involved at the earliest stage of meeting the requirements for future solutions.