Caretaker Defence Minister Stoyanov Comments Situation with Aircraft for the Air Forces

TR_123456 · Oct 9, 2022

Caretaker Defence Minister Stoyanov (BTA photo)

Sofia,

09.10.2022 10:15

(BTA)

Caretaker Defence Minister Dimiter Stoyanov said on Saturday, speaking on the Bulgarian National Television, that he is adhering to the Bulgarian interest and trying to ensure "air sovereignty".
Stoyanov discussed the inquiries sent out to four countries about Bulgaria's purchasing or leasing jet fighters for the Air Force until the arrival in 2025 of the first aircraft of the already ordered F-16s. In his words, a couple of years more will be needed for the new aircraft to start to be operated fully.
The service life of the MiG-29 aircraft currently used by the Air Force is expected to end in 2023, he said, adding that the current preference is to lease aircraft over some time, rather than buy them.
Stoyanov stressed that the security of the national air space is a constitutional duty of the Air Force.
In his words, it is unproductive to pit social security against national security.
The Minister said talks with Poland on the provision of engines for MiG-29 that have undergone maintenance and repair works are at an advanced stage and an offer for the first two engines urgently needed by the Air Force is expected in the next two weeks.

Stoyanov spoke about the "unenviable" situation with fighter jets, noting that Bulgarian jet pilots fly 7-8 times less than their colleagues. He attributed this to "neglecting the armed forces in the years". Commenting claims that Bulgaria cannot maintain two types of aircraft, Stoyanov noted that at the moment 14 types of military aviation craft are being kept and three types of jet fighters.

Stoyanov commented ongoing talks with Italy on the purchase of two submarines, which he said were needed due to the changed strategic environment and complicated situation in the Black Sea.