Former Bulgarian Defense Minister criticizes procurement delays, cites Romanian F-16 drone interception capability

Former Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev criticized the current government's continued reliance on Soviet-era equipment, advocating for a shift toward F-16 integration and anti-drone defense systems. He highlighted Romania's successful use of second-hand F-16s for drone interception as a benchmark for regional defense modernization. The statement underscores ongoing internal political friction regarding Bulgaria's military procurement strategy and NATO interoperability.