Bulgaria Submits Request to the European Commission for €3.2 Billion in Funding Under the SAFE Mechanism

Bulgaria has submitted a request to the European Commission for €3.2 billion in funding under the “Security Ammunition for Europe (SAFE) through Strengthening the European Defence Industry” instrument, accompanied by the National Investment Plan for the European Defence Industry.

The official request had to be sent by 30 November, and the Ministry of Defence confirmed that the deadline was met.

The plan includes projects aimed at modernising the Bulgarian Armed Forces and strengthening the country’s defence capabilities, the ministry added.

All projects financed under SAFE must be completed by 31 December 2030, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said in late September, as reported by BTA.

At the end of July, the Council of Ministers approved the expression of interest, which included a list of priority investment projects for the joint acquisition of defence capabilities and the modernisation of the Armed Forces, Zapryanov noted at the time. Priority projects for Bulgaria include the acquisition of 3D radars; ground-based air and missile defence systems; development of artillery support capabilities through the purchase of 155 mm self-propelled howitzers; acquisition of unmanned aerial vehicles and loitering munitions for the Land Forces and Special Operations Forces; a mobile multiple rocket launch system; systems for detecting and countering unmanned aerial vehicles; development of military transport capabilities; the acquisition of VL MICA air-defence missiles; and 155 mm ammunition, Zapryanov explained.