Bulgaria’s Defence Sector Eyes EU Integration

At a conference on Tuesday titled “New Realities in Foreign Policy, Defence, and the Defence Industry,” experts discussed the evolving landscape of the defence sector in Bulgaria and Europe, CE Report quotes BTA

Deputy Innovation Minister Georgi Angelov highlighted that the global defence industry—currently valued at USD 2.5 trillion—is projected to grow 10% annually, reaching USD 4.8 trillion within seven years.

Krastyo Preslavski of the European Commission noted a major shift in the EU's stance on defence, with Europe becoming more proactive. Bulgaria is now involved in 28 European defence projects and has joined one of the EU’s first joint procurement initiatives—an air defence missile system.

MP Stanislav Anastassov stressed that Bulgarian ambassadors should also act as trade facilitators, helping local companies expand abroad. He warned that the defence sector, revitalized by the war in Ukraine, must use this momentum to become more sustainable.

Academic leaders called for deeper integration between Bulgaria's defence sector and NATO/EU partners. Colonel Borislav Genov, head of the Defence Institute, emphasized the need for more practical collaboration between research and industry in upcoming project phases.