Bulgarian Defense Industry Exports Most Output as Army Receives Limited Share
Only a small portion of Bulgaria’s defense production is allocated to the national armed forces, according to security experts speaking at a defense preparedness conference in Sofia.
Bulgaria’s defense industry exports the overwhelming majority of its production, with only around 5% reportedly remaining for the needs of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, according to statements made during a defense preparedness conference organized by the European Parliament’s office in Bulgaria.
Yordan Bozhilov, director of the Sofia Security Forum, said the sector faces persistent coordination problems between state institutions and domestic manufacturers. He indicated that the government has not sufficiently defined long term procurement requirements, while companies need clearer guidance on future military demand.
According to Bozhilov, Bulgarian defense companies are largely focused on producing components and export-oriented systems, while the military increasingly requires complete platforms and integrated end products. The comments reflect broader challenges facing several Eastern European NATO members attempting to expand domestic defense industrial capacity while modernizing armed forces inventories.
The discussion also addressed regional security preparedness in Eastern Europe. Participants warned that countries in the region remain exposed to security risks linked to the broader geopolitical environment and ongoing pressure on European defense capabilities.
Bozhilov stated that stronger European and regional industrial cooperation will likely be necessary to strengthen production resilience and procurement coordination across NATO’s eastern flank. He also pointed to the importance of closer alignment between industrial output and national defense planning as European states increase military spending and seek to reduce supply chain vulnerabilities.
Bulgaria maintains an established defense manufacturing base with companies active in ammunition, small arms, electronics, and component production. However, much of the sector remains export-driven and historically linked to external markets.
