THE BULGARIAN DEFENCE TECHNOLOGICAL AND INDUSTRIAL BASE AND THE NATIONAL SECURITY OF BULGARIA

Abstract

The scale of production and export of defence-related and special production from Bulgaria has increased steadily over recent years. The Export of this group of goods is expected to exceed the value of €1 billion at the end of 2019. The Bulgarian Defence Technological and Industrial Base (BDTIB) is making a significant contribution to this process. The purpose of the author is to present summarized results of an analysis of the challenges to the functioning and development of this important for the Bulgarian economy industrial sector. From a practical point of view, the results of the analysis would be particularly useful for decision-makers in the sector at the state and company level, researchers and other stakeholders. Significant opportunities and risks to the BDTIB have also been outlined in two main directions. The first one is related to the current situation on the specific and highly competitive international markets for defence goods and services defined as very dynamic and rapidly changing. Bulgarian enterprises are forced to actively compete for their presence in these markets without any state support. The second challenge ahead of BDTIB is the dismal results of the overall process of modernizing the Bulgarian security sector. BDTIB continues to seek its adequate role in the national modernization projects for the Bulgarian Armed Forces and Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Bulgaria. For all these reasons, the results of BDTIB’s activities in recent years have contributed indirectly to Bulgaria’s national security.