Bulgarian Military Claims Improved Combat Capacity

Bulgaria's Head of Defense Gen. Simeon Simeonov (left) with Defense Minister Gen. Anyu Angelov. Photo by BGNES

In 2011, Bulgaria's military structures have achieved "a growth in combat capacity... in accordance with the requirements," Bulgarian Head of Defense Gen. Simeon Simeonov has announced.

"The results that we have achieved allow us to count 2011 as a successful year. The plans and directions have been fulfilled. Growth has been achieved in increasing the combat capacity of the headquarters and detachments in accordance with the requirements," Gen. Simeonov told reporters at a press briefing in Sofia Thursday.

He said that regardless of the funding constraints in 2011 the Bulgarian Army increased its military drills by 30% compared with 2010, while also praising the participation of Bulgarian troops in peace-keeping missions abroad.

In his words, the Bulgarian military has also been successful in peace-time tasks such as disaster relief operations.

"The army is an inseparable part of the Bulgarian nation, and is always ready to help when needed," stated the Head of Defense.

The incidents with Bulgarian troops declined by 23% year-on-year, according to Defense Ministry data; of the three deaths the Bulgarian military saw in 2011, two were due to health causes, and one was a suicide.

A total of 43 Bulgarian troops were punished in 2011 for alcohol use; of those 24 have been dismissed, and another 16 are yet to be dismissed, the Head of Defense announced.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!