Bulgaria doubles arms production for export to Ukraine

As the conflict in Ukraine turns into a war of attrition, the troops on the ground are starved for weapons. At the moment, additional aid from the US is stuck in the country’s parliament , while EU efforts to support Kiev are being blocked by vetoes from the pro-Russian prime ministers of Slovakia and Hungary.

As a result, the need for supplies from European allies has become even more urgent. Bulgaria – a NATO and EU member state – is currently exporting weapons to Ukraine. According to Bulgarian Economy Minister Bogdan Bogdanov, the country’s defense exports are not hindered by any restrictions.

In a recent local television interview, Mr. Bogdanov said that Bulgaria's military production, including both the state and private defense industries, has seen output double in recent times.

“Both state and private defense facilities are operating at full capacity. We have managed to double production within a year,” Bogdanov explained.

Reaffirming the important role of the defense industry, the Bulgarian minister pointed out that the sector provides jobs for more than 70,000 workers in the country, and the Eastern European country of 6.7 million people is committed to maintaining the current growth momentum.

No longer taboo

Bulgaria was one of the first countries in Eastern Europe to be approached immediately after the outbreak of military conflict in Ukraine to supply Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets.

However, no such agreement has been finalized as NATO and Bulgarian allies recognize the important role of these fighters in protecting Bulgaria's national security and NATO's borders.

Back-to-back parliamentary elections in Bulgaria over the past two years that have failed to produce a government have disrupted Sofia's arms exports, particularly to Ukraine.

Although Bulgaria has not previously publicly admitted to exporting weapons to Ukraine, there is evidence of the presence of its manufactured goods on the Ukrainian front lines.

World - Bulgaria doubles arms production for export to Ukraine — Supplies of Bulgarian-made ammunition have been secretly flowing to Ukraine since April 2022, shortly after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Photo: VOA

It was only when images emerged of Ukrainian soldiers holding anti-tank grenade launchers made in Bulgaria that the story was confirmed. But in 2022, Bulgaria’s arms exports increased by 200%, with almost all of the production going through intermediaries to Ukraine.

Other Bulgarian products such as anti-personnel and anti-tank mines, grenade launchers, optical sights and target designators have also been used by Ukrainian forces.

One of the recent Bulgarian shipments being prepared for Ukraine includes 5B55P(K) missiles, components of the S-300 missile defense complex used in Ukrainian air defense systems.

The arms exports to Ukraine through intermediaries were a result of the non-confrontational stance of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, who is considered to have a “pro-Russian” stance. Now that a more “pro-Western” government is running the Eastern European country, Sofia’s arms transfers to Kiev are no longer taboo.

Tools for victory

Bulgaria's huge Soviet-era weapons stockpiles and vast defense industry are believed to be the tools that could bring victory to Ukraine, Ukraine's Kyiv Independent newspaper said after a recent exclusive interview with Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev.

According to Mr. Tagarev, Bulgaria's provision of aid to Ukraine is both a "moral obligation" and beneficial in maintaining stability in the Eastern European Black Sea region.

During his first public visit to Bulgaria in early July, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized Bulgarian President Radev for his stance against arming Ukraine amid what he called a “conflict.”

In response, Mr Radev told reporters that Kiev was “resolutely pursuing war” while “Europe was paying the full cost of the war”.

World - Bulgaria doubles arms output for export to Ukraine (Figure 2). — Director of the Military Intelligence Service of Ukraine (GUR) Kyrylo Budanov meets with Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev during his visit to Bulgaria, August 8, 2023. Photo: Ukrainska Pravda

Mr Radev’s comments drew immediate criticism from the Ukrainian Embassy in Sofia. Bulgarian Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov also expressed his disagreement, arguing that the comments did not reflect the views of the EU and NATO – both of which Bulgaria is a member.

Mr. Tagarev reaffirmed that the Bulgarian President's controversial comments will not affect Sofia's support for Kiev, as Bulgaria operates as a parliamentary republic, implying that the government is responsible for defense, security and foreign policy issues, not the President.

“The ball is in our court – in the cabinet, and it is worth noting that the cabinet's position differs significantly from the president's position,” the Bulgarian Defense Minister stressed.

The official added that, in fact, the Bulgarian government did not consult President Radev about the military aid it sent to Ukraine .

Minh Duc (According to Bulgarian Military, Kyiv Independent)

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