Cabinet has approved amendments to Defence Act

According to Armymedia.bg, the Council of Ministers approved a bill to amend the Defence and Armed Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria Act on 4 November 2026. The bill appears as item 33 on the official provisional agenda, submitted by the Minister of Defence. At the time of publication, Flank has not found independent confirmation of the approval. Further information may be added.

How military investments will be approved

Whether programmes and projects to acquire defence equipment are approved by the Minister of Defence, the Council of Ministers or the National Assembly depends on their value. Armymedia.bg reports that the bill changes the thresholds governing this allocation of powers. According to the outlet, the bill clarifies the procedure for awarding contracts under the NATO Security Investment Programme.

In Flank's assessment, the precise thresholds are critical to the balance between the speed of investment decisions and the level of political oversight. Without them, it is impossible to establish whether more decisions will remain within the powers of the minister and cabinet or require parliamentary approval. Changing the thresholds does not in itself mean that new equipment is being ordered.

Changes to personnel management

Service personnel will have more opportunities for reassignment when organisational and establishment changes are made, Armymedia.bg reports. Their qualifications and the needs of the service will be taken into account. The proposed amendments will also set out clearer rules for sergeants' career progression, the report says.

Compensation through reduced working hours is proposed for duties performed beyond normal service hours. The outlet says the bill regulates the conditions for taking compensatory time off and rest periods, and also addresses the status of officer cadets and military college students.

The proposals concern day-to-day personnel management. However, the details described in the report are insufficient to predict their effect on personnel retention or combat readiness.

Use of weapons against unmanned systems

The bill also regulates the use of weapons against unmanned systems in the air and on water, Armymedia.bg reports. It also provides for more precise procedures for lowering combat readiness, mobilisation and demobilisation.

Changing these procedures does not in itself mean that mobilisation or an actual reduction in readiness is imminent. The distinction between authority and capability is also important: a legal basis for using weapons does not automatically provide the means to detect, identify and engage unmanned systems.

Official agenda does not confirm approval

The official government announcement concerns a forthcoming meeting, not decisions adopted. The Bulgarian National Radio report likewise describes the planned consideration of the bill, without confirming subsequent approval.

The cabinet decision and the full bill, together with its explanatory memorandum, are needed to verify the precise financial thresholds, the conditions and restrictions on using weapons against unmanned systems, the budgetary impact and the implementation timetable.

According to Armymedia.bg, the next step is for the bill to be submitted to the National Assembly. Even after government approval, the proposals will not become law until they have been considered by parliament.