Hristo Gadjev

The Bulgarian National Assembly has unanimously voted in favor of a 30% salary increase for military personnel. The decision, backed by a resounding 195 votes, marks a significant milestone in prioritizing the welfare of the armed forces.

Amidst discussions in the Bulgarian parliament, Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov has announced plans for a significant boost in military spending, aiming for it to reach 2.5% of the country's gross domestic product (GDP).

Bulgaria faces mounting uncertainties regarding its preparedness to receive the first batch of F-16 Block 70 aircraft, with retired Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev highlighting significant infrastructure challenges in an interview shared on Facebook, as reported by "Focus."

Hristo Gadjev, the chairman of Bulgaria's parliamentary committee on defense, has unveiled plans for Bulgarian involvement in repairing Ukrainian helicopters. In an interview with BNR, Gadjev confirmed that negotiations are underway for Bulgarian company "Terem-Letets" to undertake the repair work, marking a significant step in Bulgaria's efforts to support Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.

Bulgaria's political landscape is heating up after the government's decision to greenlight a draft contract for the acquisition of Stryker combat machines from the USA. The move has drawn sharp criticism from political figures, particularly former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, who expressed concerns over the legality of the decision.

"We have an initiative to provide armored vehicles to Ukraine from the warehouses of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, without affecting the reserves of the army. We are proposing this as a draft decision of the parliament. The approximate number will be around 100, mostly armored personnel carriers."

"The process of sending of military aid to Ukraine will soon begin", announced Bulgaria's Defense Minister Todor Tagarev. He could not say when the first deliveries would be on Ukrainian territory, but indicated that Kyiv would receive the most necessary resources immediately.

With 37 votes "for", 166 "against" and 18 "abstentions", the parliament rejected a draft decision to terminate the Agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and the United States on cooperation in the field of defense, submitted by the pro-Russian party "Vazrazhdane" (Revival). GERB-SDS, WCC-DB, DPS and "There Is Such a People: voted "against", BSP abstained,

Parliament imposed Thursday a moratorium on some decisions by the outgoing administration in the period until the formation of a new government or the appointment of a caretaker government. The decision was taken unanimously by the attending 151 MPs in the 240-member legislature. The formerly ruling GERB did not participate in the vote.