site.btaBulgaria Poised to Become Strategic Hub for Unmanned Aviation, BAIA Head Says

Todor Ivandjikov, Chair of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry Association (BAIA), said on Wednesday that Bulgaria has the potential to become a strategic hub for unmanned aviation, both civilian and military. He spoke at the opening of the EXPERT FORUM – Unmanned Aviation Dialogues: Civil, Defense and Future Perspectives, organized by BAIA as part of Inter Drone Expo 2025 in Sofia.

"I believe Bulgaria can be a strategic hub for unmanned aviation, whether civilian or military, and that is why we are working together," Ivandjikov said. He emphasized that business cannot advance without the support of the administration and training centres, which must work hand in hand, and noted that safety in aviation remains paramount.

Veselinka Trifonova, Head of the Department of Unmanned Aerial Systems, International Activities and Innovation at the Civil Aviation Administration, assured participants that the administration supports innovation and the drone sector. "We are here to help you and facilitate the application of innovations and new technologies, we are on your side," she said, calling for tolerance and understanding toward regulatory frameworks.

Colonel Dr. Anton Bankov, Deputy Chief for Administration and Logistics at the Rakovski National Defence College, said at the opening that the academy is committed to expanding cooperation in training, experimentation, and innovation. "I am here to guarantee that we will strengthen our cooperation in producing specialists, in experimenting through our centre, and in everything necessary to move forward and stay relevant to the environment," he noted. Bankov added that he hopes for a unified understanding of drones, so they can be used more safely, effectively, and in a regulated way for Bulgaria as a common goal.

During the forum, a leading company gave a presentation on how drones are being used in agriculture, including spraying, seeding, and fertilizing. It was said that while regulations can sometimes act as a brake, they are also a necessary requirement for the safe and effective use of agricultural drones. The event also featured discussions on the integration of artificial intelligence in unmanned systems, alongside other drone-related topics and applications.