Modernizing the army is the defence ministry's top priority, tied directly to Bulgaria's NATO commitments and national security, deputy defence minister Lyubomir Monov said in Stara Zagora.
Under a cabinet decision, defence spending next year will come to 2.33% of GDP. The draft budget is still being drawn up, and talks with the finance ministry haven't wrapped up yet.
The modernization projects are refined and planned, and the ministry is now working on carrying them out, Monov said. He added that they will give the Bulgarian army more capabilities.
The deputy minister declined to comment on the resignation of armed forces chief Admiral Emil Eftimov, telling reporters to ask Eftimov himself.
Monov spoke to reporters at a capability demonstration by the armed forces, where the army showed off its equipment to the public and young people. The display included modern drone systems, which Monov said boost the capability of Bulgaria's armed forces.
The same day also saw the "Thracian Winner" school sports tournament.