Bulgaria Signals Long Term Plan to Raise Defense Spending to 5% of GDP
Bulgaria intends to gradually increase defense spending to 5% of gross domestic product in line with evolving NATO targets, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said during talks with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels.
Bulgaria plans to expand its defense budget over the coming years as NATO members face growing pressure to increase military spending and industrial output.
Prime Minister Rumen Radev said Bulgaria is prepared to move toward a defense expenditure level equivalent to 5% of gross domestic product, according to statements made during a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in Brussels.
The Bulgarian government has not provided a timeline for reaching the target. Sofia currently meets NATO’s existing requirement of allocating at least 2% of GDP to defense.
The announcement comes as NATO members continue discussions on higher spending commitments amid concerns over European security and the long term implications of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Several alliance members have already announced plans to accelerate military investment and expand procurement programs.
Radev stated that Bulgaria intends to increase defense funding gradually while maintaining its commitments within NATO. The discussions with alliance officials also focused on strengthening defense production capacity ahead of upcoming NATO consultations.
For Bulgaria, higher military spending could support ongoing modernization programs across the armed forces, including air, land, and naval capabilities. Sofia has pursued multiple procurement initiatives in recent years as part of efforts to replace legacy Soviet-era systems and improve interoperability with NATO forces.
The spending increase could also create additional opportunities for domestic defense industry participation in European and allied supply chains as governments across the continent seek to expand production capacity and replenish military inventories.
NATO members have been debating a broader spending framework that would combine traditional defense expenditures with investments in security-related infrastructure, resilience, and other strategic capabilities. Several governments have publicly supported moving toward a 5% benchmark over the next decade.
Bulgaria’s position places it among a growing group of European countries signaling readiness to align national defense budgets with higher alliance expectations.
