site.btaDefence Ministry Releases One-Year Report: Personnel Shortage Down to 20.1%, Recruitment Temporarily Suspended

The Ministry of Defence released a report on one year of governance, noting that the personnel shortfall in the Bulgarian Armed Forces has been reduced to 20.1%, while the recruitment of military personnel has been temporarily suspended due to the domestic political crisis and the extended budget framework. The report was published on the Ministry’s website on Tuesday. 

The Defence Ministry ranks among the government institutions with the strongest performance in implementing the priorities, objectives and measures set out in the government programme, the Ministry said. Over the past year, since the government took office on January 16, 2025, the Defence Ministry has pursued a policy of continuity and further development.

Personnel Shortage in the Armed Forces

The high level of understaffing recorded at the end of 2024, at around 22%, was reduced to 20.1% by the end of 2025. During the past year, nearly 1,300 servicemen and servicewomen were recruited following 23 competitive selection procedures.

Measures taken in the social sphere have resulted in an increase in the number of applicants for military service, both for soldiers and officer cadets. On average, there are four candidates per available position, while the lowest interest has been recorded for the National Guard Unit, with one candidate per position. Aggregated data show that the most significant reduction in understaffing was among soldiers, down by 4.3%, and among guardsmen, down by more than 10%, the Ministry said.

The Defence Ministry explained that, due to the domestic political crisis and the extended budget framework, the recruitment process for new military personnel has been temporarily suspended.

The average 30% increase in military salaries as of January 1, 2025 has made the military profession more attractive on the labour market, the Ministry noted.

Modernization of the Armed Forces

Under the first contract signed with the US government in 2019, the agreed eight F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft were successfully delivered to Bulgarian territory, while construction of the necessary infrastructure at the Third Air Base was accelerated. Eleven facilities were commissioned during the mandate.

The Bulgarian Air Force is expected to have a full F-16 Block 70 squadron by the end of 2027, when an additional eight aircraft are due to be delivered under the second contract.

The first stage of construction of the multipurpose patrol vessel Hrabri has been completed, and the ship has been commissioned into the Navy.

The first five Stryker armoured combat vehicles, along with auxiliary equipment, are expected to be delivered by the end of February 2026 to Terem–Ivaylo Ltd. Following investments and preparatory work, the TEREM Ivaylo plant in Veliko Tarnovo will be able to begin assembling the new Stryker vehicles for the Land Forces in the first quarter of 2026. This could allow the plant to be certified as a regional centre for maintenance and repair. Two training aircraft will also be delivered as part of the Stryker project, in addition to the F-16 programme, to be used as training platforms at the Georgi Benkovski Air Force Academy.

The Defence Ministry also launched procedures for the acquisition of new three-dimensional (3D) radars.

Transport capabilities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces were significantly improved through the replacement of outdated Soviet-era light transport vehicles (UAZ and GAZ) with new high-mobility 4x4 Ford Ranger pickup vehicles.

The Ministry signed a contract with Germany for the joint acquisition of the IRIS-T surface-to-air missile system, one of the most advanced air defence systems currently available.

SAFE Instrument

Additional funding opportunities for modernization projects were secured through the EU’s new SAFE financial instrument for joint capability acquisition. The Defence Ministry prepared a National Investment Plan for the European defence industry under SAFE, valued at EUR 3.261 billion.

On January 15, 2026, the European Commission approved Bulgaria’s national plan as part of the first group of eight Member States. By February 13, 2026, the Council is expected to adopt individual decisions approving the requested financial assistance.

In parallel, negotiations will begin with the European Commission on the Loan Agreement and the Operational Agreement. The Commission aims to sign both documents by March 19, 2026. Once signed, advance financing of up to 15% of the total approved amount for Bulgaria could be provided in April 2026.

However, under the extended budget framework, the signing of the SAFE loan agreement, as well as the financing of ongoing and future modernization projects of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, remains at risk.

Support to the Population

The Armed Forces actively contributed to nationwide efforts to respond to wildfires and floods, as well as to medical evacuation operations. All requests addressed to the Defence Ministry were fulfilled.

In 2025, assistance tasks involving 1,707 military personnel and 330 units of equipment were carried out in support of the population, central government and local authorities.

The full Defence Ministry report is available on its website in Bulgarian. The Ministry added that the cabinet has reaffirmed its Euro-Atlantic orientation.