Development of the Bulgarian Army after the World War II

The end of the World War II confronted the world with new global conflict. The era of “cold war” and block opposition started. In 1949 , for the sake of its defense , Western Europe , USA and Canada established the North- Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). On October 20th , 1951, by order N.53 of the Chief of the Headquarters of the American Armed Forces in West Germany , was formed Bulgarian national volunteer company N.4093 with constant location in the American garrison in the town of Gemersheim. Inspirer of the idea was the Chairman of the Bulgarian National Commetee Dr.G.M.Dimitrov, Secretary- General of the Bulgarian Agricultural People’s Union in exile. This special military unit was organized after the pattern of the American infantry company. In its strength were included 200 soldiers – Bulgarian volunteers, differentiated in four platoons. Commanders of the company , consecutively , were : Lieutenant St. Boidev, Captain B.Boichev and Captain D. Krastev. The Bulgarian Company in NATO fulfilled safeguarding functions till its disband on June 20th , 1964.

As counterpoint of NATO , in 1955 in Eastern Europe were created the United Armed Forces of the member-countries of the Warsaw Treaty. The development of the Bulgarian People’s Army was subordinated to the military doctrine of the Warsaw Treaty. The improvement of the organization ,re- armament and training of the kinds of troops and branches of the army was directed to maintenance of high fighting efficiency and operational readiness in conditions of global thermonuclear conflict .

At the end of 70’s and in 80’s of 20th century the organizational structures and bodies for control and direction of the rocket troops, artillery and anti-aircraft defense underwent significant development. Created were units for radio-electronic fight. Increased the striking force and firepower of the units and formations. In 1973 was established Command of the Land Forces ,under which were included all the land troops- units and formations.

The Air Force and the units of Anti-Air Defense were united in one kind of armed forces under united command. Part of the fithing aviation, completed with interceptor fighters , was differentiated as kind of troops of Anti- Air Defense. The attack aviation was replaced by fighter- bomber aviation.

The Bulgarian Navy, besides submarines and surface vessels, like the Land Forces, included also branches of the Army. At the end of 80’s of 20th c. the resources of the Bulgarian Army amounted to 167 000 men, 2 300 tanks, about 5 000 guns and grenade launchers and 160 airplanes.

The end of the “cold war’, the collapse of the communist regimes in Eastern Europe and disband of the United Armed Forces of member- countries of the Warsaw Treaty in 1991 created new political environment in Bulgaria. It declared its will for accession to NATO. On December 21st , 1993 the Bulgarian Parliament accepted declaration for accession of Bulgaria to NATO and West-European Union. On February 14th , 1994 our country joint the program of the Alliance “Partnership for Peace”. Three years later Bulgaria officially proclaimed its candidature for membership in NATO. In November 2002 Bulgaria received an invitation for initiating negotiations for accession to NATO and , on March 18th , 2004 the National Parliament ratified the North Atlantic Treaty.

In Ministry of Defense was set up the principle of civil control, redistributed were the political and military responsibilities , as concerned to the army. The minister of defense became a civil person; to him was attached Council of Defense and the General Staff of the Bulgarian Army were differentiated as independent institutions. New functional structure was established- Forces for Rapid Reaction, Units for Defense, Units for Territorial Defense and the Reserve. The objective of the Bulgarian Army is establishment of module , compact and efficient, comparatively independent and totally secured structures, able to realize defense of the country and equivalent partnership in international initiatives for peace keeping.

From 1992 on Bulgarian servicemen take part international missions for peace keeping. Bulgarian military contingents participate in peace keeping operations Cambodia , Angola, Tajikistan, Republic of Croatia , Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo , Ethiopia and Eritrea, and Afghanistan. Bulgaria is also an active member of the international coalition , operating in Iraq.