Eng. Ivan Milanov, PhD, Colonel (Ret.), Vice President of IDDA, on BNT: “Bulgaria must build its national counter-drone strategy”
In a special interview for the Bulgarian National Television, Eng. Ivan Milanov, PhD, Colonel (Ret.), Vice President of the International Drone Defense Association (IDDA), highlighted the growing role of unmanned systems and the urgent need to establish reliable mechanisms for countering them. The discussion focused on the challenges faced by governments and industries, as well as the specific steps Bulgaria needs to take in this field.
“The speed at which drones are developing is extremely high. This creates a serious challenge for the security industry – the solutions we build today must be adaptive and resilient over time,” Milanov emphasized. According to him, the rapid technological race in unmanned systems has already outpaced traditional approaches to security and defense.
One of the key points made during the interview was the importance of clearly separating civil and military applications of counter-drone systems.
“We need to make a clear distinction between civil and military applications of counter-drone systems. Protecting airports, energy facilities, and public events is one thing, while operating on the battlefield is something entirely different,” he explained.
Milanov also stressed the importance of collective action and cooperation:
“Drone security cannot be achieved by a single institution or company. An integrated approach is needed, involving the state, industry, and international cooperation.”
As a strategic recommendation for Bulgaria and the region, he underlined the importance of developing a long-term national vision.
“Bulgaria must build its national strategy for counter-drone defense by adopting best international practices while also investing in local expertise and capacity,” said Milanov. According to him, the combination of global knowledge and national competence is the key to long-term resilience.
The interview also highlighted the role of IDDA as an international platform uniting experts, institutions, and companies in the effort to create sustainable counter-drone solutions. The organization actively works to keep this topic on the agenda of both policymakers and the general public.
With the words of Eng. Ivan Milanov, PhD, Colonel (Ret.), it becomes clear that the future of security against unmanned systems requires not only technological innovation but also political will, strategic vision, and international collaboration. His message is unambiguous: only through timely and well-coordinated action can Bulgaria ensure the protection of its critical infrastructure and the safety of its citizens.
