Minister of Defence: There is a risk to Bulgaria's national security, but no direct threat

There is a risk to Bulgaria's national security, but no direct threat, Bulgaria’s caretaker Defence Minister, Dimitar Stoyanov, said on September 21.

He commented that Russia's decision for partial military mobilisation leads to a hardening of the conflict and it is difficult to predict its end.

"Bulgaria is a member of NATO and in the system of collective defence we honour Article 5. This guarantees our national security," he pointed out.

Stoyanov added that any conflict that is frozen, simmering or hot, as in Ukraine, is a risk to national security - starting with the flow of refugees and the economic situation, this is also a security risk.

In his view, there is currently no need to increase the number of NATO troops in Bulgaria.

At today's meeting, the Council of Ministers approved the Defence Ministry's Priority Investment Expenditure Programme, which includes the financing of the purchase of F-16 fighter jets.

"It is important to acquire new equipment for the Bulgarian Air Force in the context of what we have. At the moment we have old Soviet equipment that we cannot maintain because of what is happening with Russia. We need a squadron to be fully organised with air-to-surface and air-to-air strike capabilities. They are expected to arrive here in 2027," Stoyanov said.

The existing Bulgarian MiG 29 fighter jets will continue to be operated until the end of 2023, provided that Poland delivers the contracted engines. After 2023, there is no certainty of securing air sovereignty. This makes it necessary to look for opportunities to lease another type of aircraft, for which we have sent requests to various countries and are awaiting specific offers.

The Government has also decided to provide additional assistance to Ukraine free of charge - 350 medical packages providing services to 35 000 citizens. The aid is at the request of the authorities in Kiev.