Balgarianovinite.com The Ministry of Defence released a report on one year of governance, noting that the personnel shortfall in the Bulgarian Armed Forces has been reduced to 20.1%, while the recruitment of military personnel has been temporarily suspended due to the domestic political crisis and the extended budget framework. The report was published on the Ministry’s website on Tuesday.
The Defence Ministry ranks among the government institutions with the strongest performance in implementing the priorities, objectives and measures set out in the government programme, the Ministry said. Over the past year, since the government took office on January 16, 2025, the Defence Ministry has pursued a policy of continuity and further development.
Personnel Shortage in the Armed Forces
The high level of understaffing recorded at the end of 2024, at around 22%, was reduced to 20.1% by the end of 2025. During the past year, nearly 1,300 servicemen and servicewomen were recruited following 23 competitive selection procedures.
Measures taken in the social sphere have resulted in an increase in the number of applicants for military service, both for soldiers and officer cadets. On average, there are four candidates per available position, while the lowest interest has been recorded for the National Guard Unit, with one candidate per position. Aggregated data show that the most significant reduction in understaffing was among soldiers, down by 4.3%, and among guardsmen, down by more than 10%, the Ministry said.
The Defence Ministry explained that, due to the domestic political crisis and the extended budget framework, the recruitment process for new military personnel has been temporarily suspended.
The average 30% increase in military salaries as of January 1, 2025 has made the military profession more attractive on the labour market, the Ministry noted.
Modernization of the Armed Forces
Under the first contract signed with the US government in 2019, the agreed eight F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft were successfully delivered to Bulgarian territory, while construction of the necessary infrastructure at the Third Air Base was accelerated. Eleven facilities were commissioned during the mandate.
The Bulgarian Air Force is expected to have a full F-16 Block 70 squadron by the end of 2027, when an additional eight aircraft are due to be delivered under the second contract.
The first stage of construction of the multipurpose patrol vessel Hrabri has been completed, and the ship has been commissioned into the Navy.
The first five Stryker armoured combat vehicles, along with auxiliary equipment, are expected to be delivered by the end of February 2026 to Terem–Ivaylo Ltd. Following investments and preparatory work, the TEREM Ivaylo plant in Veliko Tarnovo will be able to begin assembling the new Stryker vehicles for the Land Forces in the first quarter of 2026. This could allow the plant to be certified as a regional centre for maintenance and repair. Two training aircraft will also be delivered as part of the Stryker project, in addition to the F-16 programme, to be used as training platforms at the Georgi Benkovski Air Force Academy.
The Defence Ministry also launched procedures for the acquisition of new three-dimensional (3D) radars.
Transport capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces were significantly improved through the replacement of outdated Soviet-era light transport vehicles (UAZ and GAZ) with new high-mobility 4×4 Ford Ranger pickup vehicles.
The Ministry signed a contract with Germany for the joint acquisition of the IRIS-T surface-to-air missile system, one of the most advanced air defence systems currently available.
SAFE Instrument
Additional funding opportunities for modernization projects were secured through the EU’s new SAFE financial instrument for joint capability acquisition. The Defence Ministry prepared a National Investment Plan for the European defence industry under SAFE, valued at EUR 3.261 billion.
On January 15, 2026, the European Commission approved Bulgaria’s national plan as part of the first group of eight Member States. By February 13, 2026, the Council is expected to adopt individual decisions approving the requested financial assistance.
In parallel, negotiations will begin with the European Commission on the Loan Agreement and the Operational Agreement. The Commission aims to sign both documents by March 19, 2026. Once signed, advance financing of up to 15% of the total approved amount for Bulgaria could be provided in April 2026.
However, under the extended budget framework, the signing of the SAFE loan agreement, as well as the financing of ongoing and future modernization projects of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, remains at risk.
Support to the Population
The Armed Forces actively contributed to nationwide efforts to respond to wildfires and floods, as well as to medical evacuation operations. All requests addressed to the Defence Ministry were fulfilled.
In 2025, assistance tasks involving 1,707 military personnel and 330 units of equipment were carried out in support of the population, central government and local authorities.
The full Defence Ministry report is available on its website in Bulgarian. The Ministry added that the cabinet has reaffirmed its Euro-Atlantic orientation. Defence Ministry Releases One-Year Report: Personnel Shortage Down to 20.1%, Recruitment Temporarily Suspended 2026 THE NEWS FROM BULGARIA – NEWS AGENCY 2009-2025 2026-02-03 18:42:24 Latest news World news Country news Most important news latest news most important latest of the day Justice Petar Nizamov Feathers Petar Nizamov- Feathers Justice bg iustitia.bg iustitia iusticia usticia investigation Burgas Bulgaria news news of the last hour news of the day news of today Bulgaria news The news from Bulgaria blitz news top news most important most commented latest news Boyko Borisov news weather coronavirus news news weather facebook youtube facebook instagram news today news of the last minutes news today today news news bg news leading news hot news bg news site for news all news news bg news of the last hour latest latest news bg news of today news today news today news of the last hour latest news today news bg news news 24 hours news vesti bg novini news world bird bg bivol bg bivol trud bg novini latest news today novinite bg news hello bulgaria political party coat of arms delyan peevski scandalous Bulgarian National Television Free Europe Television scandal exclusive live tv live right now tv tv online tv program bg live now tv news online tv online live court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas court Burgas district court Burgas district court Burgas appellate court Burgas prosecutor Burgas prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Burgas district prosecutor’s office Prosecutor General Ivan Geshev Prosecutor Geshev Tsatsarov Ministry of Internal Affairs Burgas ODMR Burgas ODPR Burgas police Burgas district police Burgas prosecutor Tsatsarov SGS cases Varna court chairman of the SGS court decisions on civil cases decisions on cases Plovdiv court decision of the court decisions cases Varna court criminal cases district district court decisions work in the court SGS chairman of the SGS judges Sofia court post judges Plovdiv court Plovdiv judges Plovdiv Supreme Court Inspectorate Supreme Court Supreme Judicial Council lawyer lawyer criminal cases lawyer civil cases lawyer marriage cases lawyer administrative criminal law criminal process civil law civil process administrative law constitutional law
