Only about 5% of Bulgaria’s defense production is currently directed toward meeting the needs of the national armed forces, with the rest primarily destined for export markets, according to Yordan Bozhilov, director of the Sofia Security Forum. He made the remarks during a defense preparedness conference organized by the European Parliament office in Bulgaria, as reported by BTA.
Bozhilov pointed to a structural mismatch between state requirements and industry output, stressing the need for clearer planning between government institutions and defense manufacturers.
“The government must clearly define its requirements, while companies should specify what they are capable of producing,” he said, arguing that better coordination is essential for aligning production with national defense needs.
He noted that Bulgarian defense companies are largely focused on producing components rather than finished systems, while the military primarily requires fully assembled end-use equipment. This gap, he suggested, limits the practical benefit of domestic production for the armed forces.
Bozhilov also highlighted broader regional security concerns, warning that Eastern Europe remains comparatively exposed and less prepared to respond to emerging risks in the security environment.
