Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2024 All Rights Reserved

Defense Minister: Reinstatement of mandatory service could be on the agenda if vacancies in the army are not filled

Photo: BTA

For now, we do not envisage and do not propose to the Bulgarian parliament to return the conscription military service, Caretaker Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov told BNR. He expressed the hope that with the increase in the salaries of the military personnel from next year, the interest in the army will also increase in order to fill the vacant positions.

"In this way, we stimulate voluntary military service", emphasized the minister. However, he specified that if the measure does not lead to a change in the near future, the issue of the return of mandatory military service may be on the agenda in Bulgaria as well.

Minimum defense spending should rise to 2.5% of the GDP, said Atanas Zapryanov. "The Russian aggression against Ukraine generates a need for much greater capabilities and this leads to an increase in military spending in some countries," he reasoned.

Regarding the military aid we provide to Ukraine, the minister said that all the necessary armaments and equipment for our army is available. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgaria's 33rd Polar Expedition leaves for Antarctica

Today the 33rd Bulgarian Polar Expedition left the port of Varna for Antarctica. For the third year in a row, Bulgarian polar explorers will sail on the military research vessel "St Cyril and Methodius". This time, two cadets from Romania will be on..

published on 11/7/24 8:40 AM

Forum in Sofia examines strategies to combat misinformation

From today until 9 November, the Central Military Club in Sofia will host the Sofia Information Integrity Forum 2024 . The event will bring together world-leading experts in various fields to discuss the latest technological advances and strategies in..

published on 11/7/24 7:15 AM

Poland will repair six engines of Bulgaria’s MiG-29 jets

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense has signed a contract with Polish state company Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr 2 S.A. for major repair of six MiG-29 aircraft engines.  The maximum period for carrying out the repair of each engine will be no more..

published on 11/6/24 5:53 PM