site.btaCommon Security Policy Cuts Costs for Countries Like Bulgaria, Says Chief of Defence

The Common Security and Defence Policy saves significant amounts from national budgets, particularly for countries like Bulgaria, the Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, said here on Tuesday at a conference on new realities in foreign policy, defence, and the defence industry.

“This is where NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence (NATO IAMD) comes into effect,” Admiral Eftimov noted. “We will participate in the integrated defence system with the F-16 Block 70 aircraft we are acquiring, as well as with air defence complexes we are purchasing that meet the required standards and are within our financial capabilities. For certain capabilities that would place an excessive burden on our budget, we will rely on the NATO IAMD,” he explained.

Admiral Eftimov also underscored that 2% of GDP for defence spending will not be sufficient. “The debate within NATO is moving toward 3.5% defence spending, plus an additional 1.5% for defence-related investments,” he pointed out.

He further stressed that Bulgaria must establish a command system capable of supporting the actions of both the Bulgarian Army and NATO forces deployed in the region, in peacetime, during crises, and in conflict.

The package of capability targets developed within NATO far exceeds the scope and number of projects currently included in Bulgaria’s investment plan-programme, and the plan needs updating.