In recent years, we have witnessed two things - one is the war in Ukraine, and the other is the rapid development of technologies. The latter affects all spheres - from the economy, through medicine, to the armed forces. The war that we have witnessed over the past nearly 4 years has turned into a testing ground for new weapons, the fruit of rapidly developing technologies. This, in turn, leads to innovations in combat operations, which require changes in development plans in the defense sphere.
„The rapid introduction of new technologies and innovations on the battlefield has seriously changed the strategies, tactics, techniques, operational methods and logistics for conducting combat operations. These large-scale changes in the means of "The conduct of combat operations over the past 3 years requires the military-political leadership to quickly and thoroughly rethink the process of modernization of the Bulgarian Army and the prioritization of defense capabilities." This was said by President Rumen Radev during the official opening of the annual conference “AFCEA TechNET Sofia 2025“, organized by the AFCEA Section “Sofia“.
Against the backdrop of profound geopolitical and technological changes in the context of economic turmoil, ensuring national security faces serious challenges. “They arise from the collapse of the previously known security architecture, the need for Europe to take responsibility for its own defense, as well as the need to build a solid industrial base“, the President added.
The biggest challenge facing the Bulgarian army is the formation of a unified information space of the armed forces, which would ensure good connectivity through the integration of various autonomous systems, systems for surveillance, intelligence, communication, reconnaissance, cyber defense, satellite information from space. “We must have information, surveillance and control centers at the battalion and company levels that operate 24 hours a day“, said the head of state.
Radev stated that new processes on the battlefield require finding intelligent solutions, which with less financial resources provide great asymmetric advantages and information superiority. In addition to armored combat vehicles, fighters and patrol ships for the Navy, a number of lower-budget projects also need to enter service, with the head of state giving the example of the use of drones in the Bulgarian Army - a process that the presidential institution stimulates and supports and which has been progressing in the last 2 years.
“Modernization is no longer just a matter of money, because currently there is funds, but it depends on us whether the funding will be invested intelligently to achieve a serious effect in the development of modern defense capabilities, concluded President Radev.
For two consecutive days, the conference “AFCEA TechNET Sofia 2025“ brings together representatives of state institutions, the defense industry, the academic community, and the topic is “Smart weapons and systems for collective defense and security“.
During their speeches, the experts touched on critical topics such as the strategy for “smart rearmament” and the challenges facing the defense industry to the urgent need for reform in military education, inspired by the lessons of modern conflicts.
National plan for “smart rearmament”
Today, the focus is already shifting from simple modernization towards "smart rearmament", set out in the notorious SAFE (Security Action for Europe) plan. "This plan is ready and will soon be submitted to the Council of Ministers. But it must be clear – this is a national commitment, a national plan and responsibility for it lies not only with the Ministry of Defense, but also with the entire administration and all institutions", said Colonel Nikolay Nikolov, Director of the "Armaments Policy" Directorate, Army Modernization Strategy.
He provided up-to-date information on the three main rearmament projects. Regarding the deliveries of F-16 fighters to Bulgaria, there are currently 6 on Bulgarian territory, and by the end of 2025, our country will have 8 of the machines that were contracted in the first tranche. The second tranche will be implemented by 2027 d.
In parallel, tests of the first of the new multi-purpose patrol ships are underway, and the assembly of the "Stryker" combat vehicles is about to begin at the "Terem" factories.
Despite the ambitious plans, Colonel Nikolov acknowledged serious challenges. "In fact, it turns out that we are not ready to produce complete ready-made complex solutions. We are ready to produce assemblies, units, systems, but not final products, which the army desperately needs", he commented, adding that both the Ministry of Defense and the Bulgarian defense industry must adapt to the requirements of European partners and new realities.
Education Reform: Lessons from Ukraine
Rear Admiral Prof. Kalin Kalinov, Head of the "N. Y. Vaptsarov" Naval Academy, presented a vision for a profound transformation of military education, directly influenced by modern military conflicts. He shared lessons from the experience of Ukrainian military institutes that have been forced to adapt their training in wartime conditions. Among them are scattered training locations, a modular structure, overcoming language barriers when working with new equipment, and the huge role of simulators, which are no longer "extra, if money is left", but a mandatory element.
"We used to say that we are a forge for personnel. We no longer forge them, we print them," said Rear Admiral Kalinov, referring to the new technological realities. He outlined challenges such as the demographic crisis and the dynamic change of professions, asking the rhetorical question: "Can anyone say exactly what the military profession will be like in 2031, when the cadets we will accept in 2026 will graduate?".
His proposed training model includes a 5-year cycle with fundamental training in the first year, 3 years for mastering a military and civilian specialty, and a final fifth year, fully focused on specialization for the specific position. A key element is the delivery of training on-site – in military formations and in industrial companies, where future officers will work with real equipment and solve real cases.
The conference also served as an occasion to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the automation bodies in the Bulgarian Army – structures from which the AFCEA itself originated in Bulgaria. This legacy, combined with a clear view of future challenges, outlined the main message of the forum: the success of Bulgarian defense depends on an integrated approach combining technological vision, adaptive education, and strong partnership between all sectors of the nation.