Kyiv (TDI): Ukraine signed a 10-year defense agreement with Bulgaria on Monday, covering joint production of drones and other weapons.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the pact after talks in Kyiv with Bulgaria’s interim Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov. The deal will systematize security cooperation and match the fast pace of drone technology used in the war.
Zelenskyy said the accord includes joint manufacturing on the territory of both countries. He described the long-term pact as a way to strengthen production of various weapons, especially drones.
The agreement will help Ukraine maintain steady supply lines amid ongoing conflict. Zelenskyy said he is very pleased with the deal signed during the visit. He shared full details of the agreement on his official X account.
Today, together with Prime Minister of Bulgaria Andrey Gurov, we signed a security agreement between our countries for at least 10 years.
The key provisions include the continuation of military support from Bulgaria to Ukraine. An important element is joint production of various… pic.twitter.com/nHaX0BOcJD
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 30, 2026
Prime Minister of Bulgaria Andrey Gyurov called the pact the result of long preparation. He said it represents a joint commitment to Euro-Atlantic security.
Bulgaria’s defence industry now accounts for nearly 4 percent of its GDP and has grown since Russia’s invasion. Gyurov hailed the new accord as the outcome of extensive work by both sides.
The Bulgaria agreement follows similar pacts Zelenskyy signed with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. Ukraine will share its full air defense systems, including maritime drones and electronic warfare technology.
Zelenskyy said these deals open Ukrainian arms exports on a global scale. The Gulf pacts allowed both partners to access battlefield-tested weapons for the first time.
Read More: Ukraine’s 200+ Military Experts are in Gulf to Counter Iranian Drones
Bulgaria, a NATO and EU member, produced Soviet-standard ammunition for decades. This expertise matches equipment used by Ukrainian forces.
The 10-year length allows both sides to plan long-term production and share battlefield-tested methods. The agreement builds on Bulgaria’s existing arms supplies to Ukraine since 2022.
Zelenskyy confirmed the pact will help address air defense shortages, including PAC-3 missiles for Patriot systems. Kyiv’s top priority remains protection from Russia’s ballistic missiles. Only around 60 PAC-3 missiles are produced per month globally, with many directed to other regions.
Both leaders also discussed the Vertical Gas Corridor linking Greece with southeastern Europe. The agreement was signed during Gyurov’s working visit to Kyiv.
Muhammad Usman Hashmi is a researcher in International Relations, focusing on climate diplomacy, global governance, and political economy in the Global South. He has contributed to policy dialogues with the Foreign Policy Community of Indonesia and serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the International Council on Human Rights, Peace and Politics. He is also associated with Rethinking Economics Islamabad, contributing to research on development and sustainability.
