Page "Military of Bulgaria" Paragraph 72

After the collapse of the Warsaw pact, Bulgaria lost the ability to acquire cheap fuel and spares for its military.

A large portion of its nearly 2, 000 T-55 tanks fell into disrepair, and eventually almost all of them were scrapped or sold to other countries.

In the early 1990s the budget was so small, that regulars only received token-value payments.

Many educated and well-trained officers lost the opportunity to educate younger soldiers, as the necessary equipment and basis lacked adequate funding.

Military spending increased gradually, especially in the last 10 years.

As of 2005, the budget was no more than $ 400 mln., while military spending for 2009 amounted to more than $ 1. 3 bln.

– almost a triple increase for 4 years.

Despite this growth, the military still does not receive sufficient funds for modernization.

An example of bad spending plans is the large-scale purchasing of transport aircraft, while the Air Force has a severe need of new fighters ( the MiG-29s, even though modernized, are nearing their operational limits ).

The planned procurement of 2 – 4 Gowind class corvettes has been cancelled.

As of 2009, military spending were about 1. 98 % of GDP.

In 2010 the budget is to be only 1. 3 % due to the international financial crisis.