site.btaAtanas Zapryanov: Defence Minister

Born in Dragoynovo Village (South Central Bulgaria) on April 16, 1950. Graduated as communications engineer from Vasil Levski National Military University, then from S. M. Budyonny Military Academy of Signal Corps, Russia, and from General Staff Faculty of the G.S. Rakovski National Defence Academy.

Commandant of G.S. Rakovski National Defence Academy. Deputy Chief of Staff of Bulgarian Armed Forces for resources (2005). Reached rank of lieutenant general before retiring from active duty. Military representative of Chief of General Staff at NATO Military Committee and European Union (until 2010). Adviser at two defence minister's political cabinets (until 2013; 2015-2016). Deputy defence minister (2016-2017). Defence minister in Dimitar Glavchev first caretaker cabinet (April-July 2024) and second caretaker cabinet (August 2024-January 2025) and in Parliament-elected cabinet of Rosen Zhelyazkov (January 2025-February 2026).