Defence Minister Stoyanov: Bulgaria Faces No Direct Security Threat

Marin Kolev, Kaloyan Kirilov

Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov (center), Graf Ignatievo Air Base, July 21, 2026 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Graf Ignatievo Air Base, South Central Bulgaria,

21.07.2026 13:13

(BTA)

Bulgaria faces no direct national security threat and needs no additional squadron, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters on Tuesday when asked about Patriot air defence systems.

Stoyanov is visiting Graf Ignatievo Air Base with President Iliana Iotova.

Nearly BGN 600 million has been invested in Graf Ignatievo Air Base, where extensive reconstruction has been carried out, Stoyanov said. Work on another five facilities is due to begin.

Some projects are delayed, and he will meet the contractors to press them to complete the work on schedule, Stoyanov added.

The runway at Graf Ignatievo Air Base has been operational since summer 2024. By October 2025, 17 infrastructure projects had been completed and another 17 were going through approvals, while construction of the flight simulator building had been accelerated.

/NZ/