site.btaOutgoing Defence Minister Says Extended Budget Fails to Cover Ongoing Armed Forces Modernization Projects

The modernization of the Bulgarian Armed Fores has not stopped, but the funds needed for 2026 to pay for ongoing projects have not been secured in the so-called extended budget, outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told bTV on Sunday.

He noted that the regular budget, which was supposed to be adopted, had earmarked funds for the second batch of eight F-16 fighter jets, the Stryker combat vehicles, the IRIS-T air defence system, and naval vessels, but these funds are missing from the extended budget. Zapryanov said the modernization projects will have to be renegotiated in order to postpone payment deadlines.

The Minister announced that on February 12 the Council of the European Union will approve Bulgaria’s national plan under the SAFE mechanism, along with those of seven other countries. “We are the first eight countries to be approved, and immediately afterward the other Member States will begin signing loan agreements with the European Commission. These funds are to come in the form of loans, but this is not permitted under the extended budget,” Zapryanov explained.

The ship carrying the first batch of Stryker combat vehicles is already on its way to Bulgaria, Zapryanov said, adding that it is expected to arrive this month. The vehicles will be transported to the Ivaylo plant in Veliko Tarnovo. In addition to the combat vehicles, the shipment also includes other auxiliary equipment under the contract, he added. “The contract is already being implemented, the vehicles are arriving, and we must also make the payments,” Zapryanov noted. According to him, these funds must be included in the 2026 budget by the new political government and the new parliament.

Commenting on U.S. claims regarding Greenland, Zapryanov said this has created a crisis within NATO. He noted that such crisis situations have occurred before in the alliance’s 76-year history. “In this case, we are talking about territory within the alliance. The American side is deeply concerned about Greenland’s security. On the other hand, the alliance is doing everything possible to enhance that security,” he said.

“That is why we welcome the talks that have begun between Denmark, Greenland and the United States,” Zapryanov said, adding that the issue is also being discussed internally within NATO. In his view, this crisis is moving in the right direction – toward dialogue. All economic and security interests can be resolved through negotiation, he believes. “NATO must increase its security presence and contribution in the Arctic region, including Greenland, and this has already been officially stated by Member States, which have declared their readiness to do so,” the Minister said.