Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

2023 Defense Status Report: Bulgarian army faces staffing shortages

Photo: armymedia.bg

Urgent measures are needed to prepare the reserve in peacetime, recommends the 2023 Defense Status Report. The document has been adopted by the government and tabled in parliament for approval. Within a year, she staffing shortage in the army increased from 19% to 21%. The shortage of officers is 26% and the shortage of sailors is 27%. The voluntary reserve is only 16%. In 15 years, the reserve will be completely depleted, the report reads. It recommends a public debate on the possible introduction of compulsory military training.

 Among the reasons for the shortage of military personnel are "malicious information campaigns regarding Russia's war against Ukraine." "For the majority of young people, the military profession is unattractive due to the hardships and deprivations, the risks, the poor conditions and the outdated weaponry," the document states. 1/4 of the candidates for military service fail to meet the required standards during the medical examinations.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Ivelin Mihaylov

Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Commission probes 'Velichie' party in major property fraud case

Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating a large-scale property fraud and money laundering scheme connected to the 'Historical Park', which is associated with Ivelin Mihaylov, the leader of the Velichie party. Those arrested include the..

published on 11/26/25 2:30 PM
Boyko Borissov

Borissov cites EU defence adjustment to claim a 2026 deficit of 2.7%

The ruling party and the opposition argued about the procedure for the Budget Committee meeting before the final vote on the 2006 budget .  Assen Vassilev, chairman of the We Continue the Change party, attempted to block the committee’s extraordinary..

published on 11/26/25 2:15 PM

Agriculture and forestry workers protest for higher salaries

Employees in the agriculture and forestry sector staged a protest in front of the Parliament, demanding higher salaries for workers in departments that are secondary budget administrators. The protest was organized by the National Federation of..

published on 11/26/25 12:34 PM