For the Armed Forces, the main challenge is how to turn the allocated resources into real defence capabilities, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov said in a lecture to officers and faculty members at the opening of the 2026/2027 academic year for officers at the G. S. Rakovski National Defence College.
According to the Chief of Defence, this requires clear prioritization, predictable funding, the use of all available mechanisms, joint projects with Allies, and more active participation by the national defence industry.
The Defence Investment Programme through 2032 is currently under review and being updated in the context of implementing projects under the SAFE instrument, lessons learned from recent conflicts, and the adoption of a national plan to increase defence spending to 5% of Gross Domestic Product, Admiral Eftimov also said.
Collective defence remains the most reliable guarantee of national security, but it cannot replace national readiness. Bulgaria must have its own combat-ready forces, the necessary infrastructure and capabilities to receive and support allied formations from the first days of a potential crisis, the Chief of Defence said.
/IV/