site.btaDefence Minister: National Plan to Raise Defence Spending to 5% of GDP by 2035 Must Be Approved

A draft National Plan to increase defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035 must be approved, caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said on Tuesday at the opening of the annual conference of the Chief of Defence. This year's conference reviews the development of the Bulgarian Armed Forces from the perspective of tasks in a national and Allied format.

"We will propose that the caretaker cabinet, at the end of its mandate, submit a draft 2026 State Budget to the regular government to be formed after the elections, and that this national plan also be adopted, because it is a long-term task and cannot be approved and endorsed by a caretaker government," Zapryanov said.

He stressed that the caretaker government would pursue continuity in defence priorities and objectives in line with national and allied strategic documents.

"Building a strong Bulgarian defence within NATO and the EU and strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defence potential in the Black Sea region are at the centre of our defence policy," Zapryanov said. He added that efforts would continue to develop modern and interoperable defence capabilities to ensure the successful fulfilment of missions in both national and allied contexts.

Despite delays in the 2026 budget procedure, Zapryanov said work would continue to implement on schedule the nine rearmament projects included in Bulgaria's national plan under the EU's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) instrument.

The minister noted that he had signed a proposal by the Finance Ministry for the Council of Ministers to consider extending the current provisional budget. He supported provisions inviting the government and Parliament to include loan agreements under the SAFE instrument. "If the government supports this, and subsequently Parliament does as well, we will give the green light to the national plan and its implementation," he said.

Four years have passed since the start of the war in Ukraine, which has fundamentally changed the strategic environment, Zapryanov said. "Russia remains the most direct and serious threat to the security of Europe and Bulgaria." He reaffirmed Bulgaria's continued policy of solidarity and support for Ukraine within the framework of parliamentary decisions and national capabilities, calling that support "in our strategic interest, and in the interest of the EU and NATO".

Zapryanov also said efforts would continue to recruit trained and motivated personnel in order to consolidate the positive trend in reducing the high number of vacant military positions.

The Defence Ministry will actively contribute to drafting a new national security strategy by the end of May, with a focus on the role of defence in safeguarding national security.

"Only strength will guarantee peace and deter potential aggressors from actions against our national interests, NATO and the European Union," Zapryanov concluded.