site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov Comments on Cyber Security

Bulgaria is the object of attacks every day and not only from non-governmental actors, but also from governmental actors, Defence Minister Atanas told the parliamentary committee on cyber security and defence on Wednesday.

“We know who they are, but I cannot share more in open session,” the Defence Minister added.

He noted that the armed forces have a cyber security centre and a command, which is also for cyber defence. Zapryanov added that the army has specialists in this field.

"We have 24-hour monitoring of our systems. We know who is attacking us and with what means," the defence minister said.

Regarding the Stryker armoured personnel carriers, the minister said that a meeting with the company's representatives is scheduled for Thursday. He explained that BGN 17 million are being invested in Terem - Ivaylo so that the company can assemble and install the machines. Exclusive rights to repair and maintain them have also been requested and there has been a positive response in this regard. Zapryanov noted that the desire is for Terem - Ivaylo to be a maintenance centre for these machines in Europe.

The minister also commented that there is a debate on defence spending and a new decision on cost sharing between member states is expected to be taken at the Hague summit. "What is going on as a debate at the moment in NATO - purely military spending to be at 3.5%, and to add to that 1.5% spending on those capability objectives that are not purely military, the cost of those, plus all the costs that will concern the modernization of the defence industry," the minister said.