Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov Tuesday said defence spending in 2025 would stand at 2.09% of GDP. He talked to reporters on Day One of the two-day Chief of Defence Annual Conference. The Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, presented an analysis of the condition and preparation of the Armed Forces in 2024.

“If we take into account compensation money, the budget will top 2.09%. The good news is that the governance programme envisages 2.5% of GDP for the next years,” Zapryanov said.

The governance programme includes a strategic review of military capabilities, he said. “NATO’s new capability targets are much broader and require us to adjust our capability development plans,” said Zapryanov. One of the Defence Ministry’s ideas – compulsory military training for citizens – is missing from the governance programme because one of the parties in the coalition disapproves. The idea was to require military training for employees in certain departments where carrying a weapon is part of the job.

“In addition to opposition from one of the political parties, we also face resistance from certain departments,” Zapryanov commented, adding that the Ministry of Interior is one of them. They are concerned that such a requirement would limit citizens’ opportunities to join the Interior Ministry, he explained.

“I am extremely satisfied with the analysis because it is very honest and accurately reflects the condition of the Armed Forces without concealing anything. We will prepare and submit to Parliament a progress report on the implementation of the investment programme, Zapryanov added.

“The requirement for force preparedness has increased substantially and decisively, which raises questions about personnel recruitment. I have accepted the Chief of Defence’s proposal and priority units will be identified to be filled first,” said the minister.