How Bulgaria doubled weapons export to Ukraine

NATO-Member Bulgaria is actively supplying weapons to Ukraine, with its defense exports seeing a significant increase, with state officials acknowledging that there are no restrictions on Bulgaria's military production. The Bulgarian military platform has reported on the state-owned and private defense industries having doubled their output in a year by operating at maximum capacity. Caliber.Az reprints this article.

"Bulgaria is currently in the business of supplying weapons to Ukraine, provided all necessary documentation is in compliance. As stated by Bulgaria’s Economic Minister [MoE], Bogdan Bogdanov, during his televised interview with Zheni Marcheva on bTV, the nation’s defense exports are not hindered by any restrictions.

Bogdanov further emphasized that Bulgaria’s military production, comprising both state and private defense industries, has seen a twofold increase in output recently. “Both state-owned and private sector defense facilities are operating at their maximum capacity. We’ve managed to double our output within a year”, he explained.

An expert commenting on the situation to BulgarianMilitary.com suggests that the escalating conflict in Ukraine is the primary reason behind this production surge. This aligns with findings from BulgarianMilitary.com’s interviews with the heads of dual-purpose product manufacturing companies in Panagyurishte, which highlighted their busy facilities and broad product portfolio sales.

The Economic Minister indicated that Bulgaria’s defense industry is actively contemplating the incorporation of new products and solutions into their manufacturing process, keeping the next decade or two in view. “We want to ensure that our defense products remain competitive in the future”, he stated.

Reasserting the vital role of the defense industry, Bogdanov indicated that it employs over 70,000 individuals in Bulgaria. He added, that defense production is a sector that’s currently thriving in our country. “From our perspective, it’s playing a substantial role and we are committed to upholding this trend”.

Bulgaria was one of the first countries in Eastern Europe to be approached at the start of the Ukraine conflict to provide Soviet MiG-29s. However, no such agreement was finalized as NATO and Bulgarian allies recognized the vital role these jets play in safeguarding both Bulgaria’s national security and NATO’s borders.

Tumultuous frequent parliamentary elections over the last two years which were unable to orchestrate a government, have disrupted Bulgaria’s arms export, particularly to Ukraine.

Although it had been refuted that Bulgaria was exporting to Ukraine, evidence surfaced regarding Bulgarian weapons’ presence on the Ukrainian frontlines. This was clearly demonstrated at the end of last year when images surfaced of Ukrainian soldiers wielding Bulgarian-manufactured anti-tank grenade launchers.

Bulgarian anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, grenade pipes, optical sights, and target indicators have also purportedly been utilized by Ukrainian forces, according to various reports throughout the year.

One of Bulgaria’s recent shipments being prepared for Ukraine included 5B55P[K] missiles, components of the S-300 anti-aircraft missile defense complex used by Ukrainian air defense systems.

As per declarations made by the ruling parliamentary coalition, the list includes four 5B55P[K] missiles that are not operational and are expected to be repurposed by Kyiv as replacement parts.

The Bulgarian armories

The significance of Bulgaria’s hefty Soviet-era weaponry reserves and extensive defense industry may be instrumental in the triumph of Ukraine, as suggested by the Ukrainian internet news portal, the Kyiv Independent, which recently held an interview with Todor Tagarev, the Bulgarian Minister of Defense.

In the words of Tagarev, there lies a “moral obligation to extend aid to the victims of aggression”. Moreover, the Minister elaborated that it’s in “our strategic favor that Ukraine successfully fends off Russian aggression and regains its sovereignty and territorial integrity. According to him, this is critical for preserving stability in Europe – focusing all the more on Eastern Europe located in the Black Sea vicinity.”

During his inaugural public visit to Bulgaria earlier in July, the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, castigated Radev for his stance against arming Ukraine amidst what he referred to as a “conflict.”

In a retaliation discussion in July, Radev informed reporters Kyiv is “adamant about prosecuting the war” while “Europe foots the entire bill.”

Radev’s remarks drew immediate criticism from the Ukrainian embassy in Sofia, which accused him of parroting Russian propaganda. Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov also expressed his disapproval, countering that the comments did not mirror the views of the EU and NATO – both of which Bulgaria is a member.

Tagarev reaffirmed that the president’s controversial comments will not influence Bulgaria’s support, as it operates under a parliamentary republic, implying that the government is in charge of matters about defense, security, and foreign policy, rather than the president.

Tagarev emphasized, “The ball is in our court – the cabinet’s, and it’s worth noting that the cabinet’s stance significantly diverges from that of the president.” He added that, in reality, the government doesn’t consult President Radev about the military aid it dispatches to Ukraine.

The need for Bulgaria’s assistance is even more pressing now, particularly when US aid is under threat due to a congressional stalemate, and the EU’s efforts to support Ukraine are being thwarted by vetoes from Slovakia and Hungary’s pro-Russian prime ministers.