Rumen Radev: Security challenges make industrial cooperation and joint creation of defense technologies and products in Europe a necessity

The security challenges of Europe make industrial cooperation and joint creation of defense technologies and products a necessity. This was stated by the Head of State Rumen Radev at a meeting at the presidential institution with the CEO of the largest defense concern in Europe, Rheinmetall, Armin Paperger, who, at the initiative of the Bulgarian President, is visiting our country to identify specific projects for investment and industrial cooperation with the Bulgarian defense industry and science. The meeting is a continuation of the talks between Rumen Radev and Armin Paperger during the Munich Security Conference in February this year.

"We need to rethink our own attitude towards our responsibility for ensuring security and towards the approaches to building adequate defense capabilities within the framework of common European defense and NATO," the president emphasized. According to him, priority should be given to areas where there is a deficit of capabilities, while strategic military stocks should be replenished as quickly as possible and an industrial base should be built with the continuous implementation of new technologies for the modernization of our Armed Forces.

The head of state emphasized that it is high time for EU countries to overcome the strong fragmentation in the European defense industry and to focus on cooperation in the development and production of defense products. Rumen Radev pointed out that Armin Paperger's visit to Bulgaria is extremely important against the background of the clearly stated political will for intensive cooperation in the EU in the field of defense and the defense industry and highlighted the opportunities for partnership with the largest European defense concern Rheinmetall, as well as the strategic importance of Germany for Bulgaria as the largest trade and economic partner and leading investor in our country.

"The Bulgarian military industry has extensive experience and an established place in world markets," emphasized Rumen Radev. The head of state drew attention to the ambitious modernization program of the Bulgarian Army and pointed out that our country is one of the leading European manufacturers of ammunition and light weapons, with Bulgarian companies in the sector constantly expanding the scope of their production in the field of high technologies, which opens up opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in these areas.

During the meeting, the head of state also expressed Bulgaria's interest in expanding its own production capacities in the field of the defense industry with the support of our country's strategic partners, which is in the interest of both national security and the improvement of the economic environment in our country. Increasing the production of gunpowder in our country, including for export, in view of its increased demand in Europe given the complicated security environment, was also among the highlights of the conversation. 

Armin Paperger expressed Rheinmetall's ambition to build a lasting partnership with Bulgaria and Bulgarian business, highlighting our country's experience in the production of ammunition and weapons. The CEO of the German defense concern also indicated that he hopes for the company's investments in our country to be realized soon

The talks between Dondukov 2 and Rheinmetall management were attended by Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov, Minister of Economy and Industry Petar Dilov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Martin Danovski, as well as representatives of the defense industry in our country.

The security challenges of Europe make industrial cooperation and joint creation of defense technologies and products a necessity. This was stated by the Head of State Rumen Radev at a meeting at the presidential institution with the CEO of the largest defense concern in Europe, Rheinmetall, Armin Paperger, who, at the initiative of the Bulgarian President, is visiting our country to identify specific projects for investment and industrial cooperation with the Bulgarian defense industry and science. The meeting is a continuation of the talks between Rumen Radev and Armin Paperger during the Munich Security Conference in February this year.

"We need to rethink our own attitude towards our responsibility for ensuring security and towards the approaches to building adequate defense capabilities within the framework of common European defense and NATO," the president emphasized. According to him, priority should be given to areas where there is a deficit of capabilities, while strategic military stocks should be replenished as quickly as possible and an industrial base should be built with the continuous implementation of new technologies for the modernization of our Armed Forces.

The head of state emphasized that it is high time for EU countries to overcome the strong fragmentation in the European defense industry and to focus on cooperation in the development and production of defense products. Rumen Radev pointed out that Armin Paperger's visit to Bulgaria is extremely important against the background of the clearly stated political will for intensive cooperation in the EU in the field of defense and the defense industry and highlighted the opportunities for partnership with the largest European defense concern Rheinmetall, as well as the strategic importance of Germany for Bulgaria as the largest trade and economic partner and leading investor in our country.

"The Bulgarian military industry has extensive experience and an established place in world markets," emphasized Rumen Radev. The head of state drew attention to the ambitious modernization program of the Bulgarian Army and pointed out that our country is one of the leading European manufacturers of ammunition and light weapons, with Bulgarian companies in the sector constantly expanding the scope of their production in the field of high technologies, which opens up opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation in these areas.

 During the meeting, the head of state also expressed Bulgaria's interest in expanding its own production capacities in the field of the defense industry with the support of our country's strategic partners, which is in the interest of both national security and the improvement of the economic environment in our country. Increasing the production of gunpowder in our country, including for export, in view of its increased demand in Europe given the complicated security environment, was also among the highlights of the conversation.

Armin Paperger expressed Rheinmetall's ambition to build a lasting partnership with Bulgaria and Bulgarian business, highlighting our country's experience in the production of ammunition and weapons. The CEO of the German defense concern also indicated that he hopes for the company's investments in our country to be realized soon.

 The talks between Dondukov 2 and Rheinmetall management were attended by Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov, Minister of Economy and Industry Petar Dilov, Deputy Minister of Innovation and Growth Martin Danovski, as well as representatives of the defense industry in our country.