Egypt
Egypt and Bulgaria held high-level talks in Cairo to advance a broad strategic defense partnership ahead of EDEX 2025. Egypt praised the growing role of the exhibition in showcasing its defense-industrial capabilities, while Bulgaria confirmed that nine of its companies will participate.
Defense news
As Europe races to rebuild its defense capacity, two Southeastern nations are stepping into roles few expected. Greece and Bulgaria—long considered peripheral players—are rapidly transforming into key industrial and strategic hubs.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s Navy has started sea trials of its first locally built modern patrol ship Hrabri, part of a €503 million deal with Germany’s NVL Group, marking a turning point in Bulgaria’s naval modernization.
Opinion
A little-noticed U.S. bill, the William S. Knudsen Defense Remobilization Act, would map bottlenecks and turn wartime demand models into peacetime contracts. Backed by Marco Rubio, it aims to reboot U.S. production—and send clearer, steadier signals to Europe and NATO supply chains.
Croatia
Croatia has green-lit a €1.945 billion defense modernization program that will transform its military by 2030. The plan includes Leopard 2A8 tanks, CAESAR howitzers, TATRA heavy trucks, and an anti-drone network built with domestic industry partners.
Bulgaria
Bulgarian satellite maker EnduroSat has raised $104 million from Google Ventures and the EIC Fund to expand modular satellite production in Bulgaria, marking a major boost for Europe’s growing space and defense industry.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria has signed a landmark agreement with Germany’s Rheinmetall to build a gunpowder and ammunition factory producing 155mm shells and modular charge systems. The €500 million joint venture with VMZ–Sopot will create nearly 1,000 high-skilled jobs.
Startups
Europe’s defense technology sector is experiencing a surge unlike anything in its history. Venture capital investment in defense startups has reached a record-breaking $1.5 billion in 2025.
Bulgaria
Sofia becomes Europe’s defense hub as the Regional Defence Summit 2025 gathers ministers, EU leaders, and industry innovators to shape the continent’s strategic future.
Industry
The US–Bulgarian startup builds AI-powered security agents for real-time risk detection and remediation, aiming to deliver enterprise-grade protection to mid-sized organizations.
Prime Minister Bulgaria
European Council President António Costa has said Bulgaria is poised to play a “key role” in strengthening Europe’s defense capabilities as the continent accelerates efforts to boost its security and reduce reliance on external partners.