site.btaChief of Defence: Certification of Naval, Aviation Units Success for Joint Special Operations Command in 2025

Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov said that the certification of the naval group and the aviation special operations unit in 2025 is a success for the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), the Defence Ministry reported on Friday. Eftimov was speaking during the presentation of the 2025 Analysis of the Preparation and Status of JSOC.

"This means that the Bulgarian Army now has special operations units in all three domains – land, air, and naval. The pragmatic approach applied by the JSOC in planning and conducting training in 2025 has led to qualitative development of the capabilities of the Special Forces. The rational allocation of resources, the raising of standards for individual training, and for the staff of tactical units demonstrate a purposeful and rational command approach," Eftimov said.

He also highlighted the deepening of joint training between the command and the armed forces branches, the Defence Intelligence Service, the Military Police, and the structures of the Ministry of Interior and the National Security Service, as well as the high pace of personnel recruitment and candidates for Specialized Police Forces service competitions.

JSOC Commander General Bozhidar Boykov outlined the main areas of activity for 2025 and noted that last year combat training began to shift focus from counter-terrorism operations to operations in high-intensity conventional conflict conditions. Another key focus is the use of unmanned aerial systems and the training of instructors, especially in sensitive areas such as sniper training, combat medics.

The meeting was attended by the commanders of Specialized Police Forces units, as well as representatives of the Joint Forces Command and the branches of the armed forces.