site.btaModern Defence Capabilities Need New Inventions, President Iotova Says

Modern defence capabilities need new inventions, achievements at the highest technological levels, as well as security and sustainability of production, President Iliana Iotova said on Wednesday. She was speaking at the official opening of the Hemus 2026 International Defence Equipment and Services Exhibition in Plovdiv.

Iotova said that this requires a rethink of national policies in the sector, as the war in Ukraine in particular has exposed several serious deficits. She said these include insufficient production, irregular supplies and a lack of coordination among EU Member States. “The events of the past few years - the war in Ukraine and the Middle East - have made all institutions rethink the concept of security and realize that the security of our peoples and countries can no longer be guaranteed in the old way alone: through human resources and the production of ever more equipment,” the President said.

She also addressed the serious financial resources earmarked by the European Commission for defence capabilities under the next Multiannual Financial Framework but expressed reservations about the funding allocated for scientific discoveries, which stands at only 15%. Iotova said Bulgaria’s position on the matter is yet to be formulated.

The opening ceremony was also attended by Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, Innovation and Digital Transformation Minister Ivan Vasilev, Plovdiv Regional Governor Georgi Yanev, Plovdiv Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov, among others. Before the official opening, the President reviewed the guard of honour.

The Hemus 2026 Exhibition is held under the auspices of the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Economy, Investment and Industry, and the Ministry of Innovation and Digital Transformation. Its main organizer is the Hemus 95 Foundation.