It is being considered to introduce mandatory military training for professions that use weapons. But for all this, legal changes must be voted on, said Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov on the BNR program "Nedelya 150".
Our idea is "mandatory military training" should not be understood as conscription or mandatory for all citizens, but only for those who wish to work and whose profession is related to the use of weapons, the minister pointed out and explained that these could be border police officers, court guards and even those working in private security companies.
Security in the Western Balkans has always been the first priority of Bulgarian foreign policy, said Zapryanov and pointed out that Bulgaria's joining the document signed by Croatia, Albania and Kosovo has never been discussed.
Defense spending must increase. We must replenish the armed forces, modernization projects are important, but the capacity of the European defense industry must also be modernized. Active work has already begun on the Prime Minister's order. We are already analyzing various plans for the coming years, a concept for the modernization of the country must be developed, Zapryanov pointed out.
The increase in the defense budget is about 270 million. It provides for the salaries of military personnel in their new form from January 1. This has led to increased interest in military service, the minister also said.
A decision is not being discussed according to which Bulgaria would refuse the delivery of the second part of 8 aircraft from the United States. By the beginning of April, we will know the exact delivery of the first, with the welcoming ceremony remaining on April 12, Atanas Zapryanov also pointed out.