2012-05-17 07:20:37 - Recently published research from Business Monitor International, "Bulgaria Defence & Security Report Q3 2012", is now available at Fast Market Research

The government of Bulgaria remains focused on an armed forces modernisation initiative, which was launched to enhance compatibility with NATO, and to re-orientate these forces away from their former Cold War posture towards a structure enabling them to participate fully in alliance out-of-area operations.

Bulgaria has provided a small, yet valuable, contribution to several NATO operations most recently these have included the provision of a frigate to support Alliance operations enforcing a maritime exclusion zone around Libya, during that country's civil war. In addition to the Libya operation, Bulgaria has deployed forces in support of NATO missions in Afghanistan and the Balkans,and UN missions in Georgia.


Full Report Details at
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At the political level, the modernisation of Bulgaria's armed forces

is progressing alongside a political effort to deepen the defence relationship between Bulgaria, the EU and the United States. Although it caused some disquiet in Moscow, Sofia has been keen to show its enthusiasm for NATO and the US' bilateral development of a ballistic missile defence capability, offering to host radar and interceptor missiles on Bulgarian soil. Similarly, Bulgaria has extensively modernised its Air Defence Ground Environment command and control systems. These efforts have included the procurement of new radar, and the activation of an Air Sovereignty Operations Centre to safeguard Bulgarian air space.

Bulgaria has a major procurement outstanding in the form of the Air Force's plans to purchase an initial batch of eight Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA). This procurement is required to replace obsolete fast jet types in the Air Force fleet. Candidate aircraft are likely to be offered by North American and European manufacturers although, as of early 2012, Bulgaria was proposing a four-way procurement with Croatia, Romania and Turkey, which all have existing requirements for new MRCA. Whether such a procurement will take place remains to be seen. Moreover, there is also every chance that Bulgaria may choose to source its new MRCA from second-hand stocks, rather than buy new aircraft outright in an effort to reduce costs. Budget costs are also expected to be reduced via a reduction in the personnel strength of the Bulgarian armed forces.

Report Table of Contents:

SWOT Analysis
- Bulgaria Security SWOT
- Bulgaria Defence Industry SWOT
- Bulgaria Political SWOT
- Bulgaria Economic SWOT
- Bulgaria Business Environment SWOT
Global Political Outlook
- Major Risks Looming In 2012-2013
- Global Flashpoints: Eurozone, Iran, Syria, Afghanistan, Korean Peninsula
- Table: Election Timetable, Q212-Q113
- Wild Cards To Watch
Europe Security Overview
- The Strategic Outlook For The 2010s
- Europe In A Global Context
- Europe's Key Security Issues Over The Coming Decade
Security Risk Analysis
- BMI's Security Ratings
- Table: Europe Security Risk Ratings
- Table: Europe State Terrorism Vulnerability To Terrorism Index
- Bulgaria's Security Risk Ratings
Political Overview
- Domestic Politics
- Long-Term Political Outlook
Domestic Security Overview
- Internal Security Situation
- Table: Regional Insurgent Groups
- External Security Situation
- Bilateral And Multilateral Security Relations
Armed Forces And Government Expenditure
- Armed Forces Modernisation 2010-2014
- International Deployments
- Weapons Of Mass Destruction
Market Overview
- Table: Key Players In Bulgaria's Defence Sector, 2010
Industry Forecast Scenario
- Armed Forces
- Table: Bulgaria's Armed Forces, 2000-2008 ('000 personnel, unless otherwise stated)
- Table: Bulgaria's Manpower Available For Military Services, 2009-2016 (aged 16-49, unless otherwise stated)
- Government Expenditure
- Table: Bulgaria's Defence Expenditure, 2009-2016
- Table: Bulgaria's Defence Expenditure - Changing % Of GDP, 2009-2016 (US$mn)
- Defence Trade
- Macroeconomic Forecast
- Table: Bulgaria - Economic Activity, 2011-2016
Company Profiles
- Arcus
- Arsenal
BMI Methodology
- How We Generate Our Industry Forecasts
- Defence Industry
- Sources

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