Bulgaria to put drone simulators in every army unit by New Year
Bulgaria plans to equip every army unit with drone simulators by New Year to accelerate operator training, save costs, and improve NATO interoperability.
Bulgaria has announced a rapid roll-out of drone simulators across its armed forces with the goal of placing at least one simulator in every army unit by the New Year. The effort is intended to scale training, preserve limited flight hours and boost interoperability with NATO partners.
Key facts
- Bulgaria aims to have at least one drone simulator in every army unit by New Year.
- Programme prioritises mobile and desktop simulators to speed training and limit live flight hours.
- Move driven by lessons from Ukraine and to improve NATO interoperability; procurement and sustainment challenges remain.
2 minute read
Bulgaria is accelerating its use of unmanned aerial system (UAS) simulators to rapidly expand operator numbers and tactical competence without incurring the full costs and constraints of live flight training. The Defence Ministry is reported to favour a mix of portable laptop-based trainers and fixed simulators capable of modelling reconnaissance, loitering munitions, and short-range VTOL behaviours. The programme targets frontline formations — including reconnaissance and artillery units — and aligns training syllabuses to increase virtual flight hours as a pathway to qualification. Officials cite lessons from the war in Ukraine and NATO readiness requirements as drivers for the push.
Despite clear advantages in cost and safety, rapid fielding poses risks: procurement processes must ensure interoperability and cybersecurity, instructor shortages could bottleneck throughput, and software/hardware sustainment will require ongoing funding. For NATO and regional allies, Bulgaria’s approach demonstrates how smaller members can raise UAS readiness quickly through simulation, complementing gradual platform acquisition.
Source: DroneXL.co
