December 18 (BTA) - Bulgaria's armed forces held and took
 part in over 200 exercises during 2021, including 30-plus with
international participation, the Defence Ministry reported,
approached by BTA.

The outgoing year was tense and full of challenges, but despite
the epidemic-control measures, the armed services were trained
according to plan and within the budget allocated for this
purpose, the Ministry said.

The training and status of the armed forces were also influenced
 by transformation processes in response to the volatile
security environment and honouring the international commitments
 assumed by Bulgaria in collective security and defence.

The armed forces' training prioritized maintaining and
developing new capabilities for the accomplishment of missions
to guarantee the country's sovereignty and defend its
territorial integrity and independence, implementing Allied
commitments in collective security and defence, and sharing in
the management or in the mitigation of the effects of natural
disasters.

The larger international exercises and national stand-alone and
joint training events, planned for 2022, are Defensive Shield,
Platinum Lion, Pirin Sentinel, Blue Bridge, Green Bridge,
Thracian Summer/Fall, Poseidon, Stealth Dagger, Beyond Horizon,
Breeze, Sea Sentinel and Air Sentinel, the Defence Ministry told
 BTA. LG/LG

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