With a request for 2.09 percent of GDP, the army budget is submitted to the defense committee, reports the Bulgarian National Radio.
On Tuesday, President Rumen Radev warned that the budget cannot continue the implementation of the modernization program.
The "Zhelyazkov" cabinet indicated that defense is one of the priorities in this year's budget.
Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov assured that the guaranteed 2.09 percent of GDP, plus the money from compensation for military aid to Ukraine, will be sufficient for the normal functioning of the army, servicing the concluded contracts. There will also be money for new contracts for the "Javelin" missiles, as well as for ammunition for the ships.
This year is extraordinary because of our country's desire to enter the Eurozone, the minister said, but emphasized that the government's management program has provided for 2.5% of GDP for the coming years.
President Rumen Radev indicated that the current estimates would lead to a stalling of the already delayed modernization of our army.
"We can only service the contracts that have already been concluded", the head of state noted.