site.bta“Consolidating the European Defence Industry: Opportunities and Challenges”

A conference titled “Consolidating the European Defence Industry: Opportunities and Challenges” was held here on Tuesday. It was organized by Poland's Embassy in Bulgaria as part of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2025, along with the European Commission Representation in Sofia and the Municipality of Veliko Tarnovo, under the auspices of Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Innovation and Growth Minister Tomislav Donchev.

Taking part in the conference were Bulgarian and Polish defence industry executives and representatives shaping the two countries' defence policy.

Following are highlights of the discussion:

Polish Ambassador Maciej Szymanski: Today the topic of the European Union’s defence capabilities is being discussed simultaneously in Veliko Tarnovo, Brussels and Sofia. This is proof that Europe is facing a growing threat, and the only answer is to stop the potential aggressor. The motto of the Polish EU presidency “Security, Europe!” reflects the multifaceted understanding of security. Although the EU has significant resources and technological potential, its defence capabilities have been underfunded for years. Given the serious changes in the world order and the disturbed political balance, solidarity actions and investments in common defence are needed. Today's conference should provide a platform to talk about how to make Europe more secure and resilient. Joint action, technological development and partnership will allow us to build a strategy for the Black Sea, East Shield and strengthening security, both on the eastern borders and on the Baltic and Black Seas. Only together can we respond to the challenges that have been growing since at least 2014.

Yordanka Chobanova, Head of the European Commission Representation in Bulgaria: The issue of security and defence is a key topic on the European agenda and in these unstable times it is very important that Europe's responses are swift and effective. The European Commission is ready with the 2030 defence plan. This is a to-the-point plan with financial measures so that European competitiveness in defence is increased. Bulgaria is traditionally a country where the defence industry is leading, we also have strong educational institutions that are involved in European projects, and now is the time for Bulgaria and the whole sector to use the available grants to mobilize, modernize, and have a strong competitive advantage.

Ukraine's Deputy Ambassador to Bulgaria Anna Tertichna: Ukraine is the first country in the world to have formed a drone force as a unit in the army, which combines unmanned aerial vehicles in the air and maritime drones, as well as robotic systems that are actively used in real combat operations. Ukraine is mostly in need of air defence equipment, air defence missiles. Last year the missile programme was launched, and the first batches of long-range strike drones have been produced.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev: The Bulgarian defence industry must have the capacity to produce ammunition for all systems functioning in the Bulgarian Armed Forces. It is Europe’s overriding priority to take care of its security on its own, and there are enough resources for the purpose, both from the national budgets and at the European level. If money is invested wisely, it can create new scenarios for the industry. The defence sector can sell products for civilian use as well as the armed forces. Investments should generate the maximum effect for the economy. Gunpowder plants will be built in Bulgaria in the coming years, possibly on private investments. Talks are underway to pick an investor. Alternatively, it can be a state-owned factory. Regardless of what happens on the geopolitical scene, Bulgaria will have to invest billions in the defence industry in the coming years. My personal priority in the next year and a half is to ensure that Bulgaria can manufacture drones on a massive scale, both for military and civilian uses. The EU cannot afford to have producer states and consumer states, or economic deserts within the bloc. Bulgarian towns along Pan-European Corridor IX, including Veliko Tarnovo, Ruse, Gabrovo, Kazanlak, Plovdiv and Stara Zagora, have every chance to form the country's industrial backbone, including the defence industry.