The USA has refused to provide the Bulgarian Air Force (VVS) with F-16 fighters to replace its ageing fleet of 11 MiG-29s, according to Bulgarian Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov.
“Washington strongly recommends that Bulgaria continue to operate the MiG-29 aircraft”. The fighters are old and need engine repair. Sofia ordered eight F-16 Block 70/72 fighters in 2019, however the coronavirus pandemic changed plans and schedules, so the first fighter will most likely in 2026.
Sofia needs the replacement fighters to fulfil its NATO membership obligations and to guarantee the security of the Bulgarian airspace. Washington’s refusal to provide replacement fighter jets for a fee leaves a serious hole in Bulgaria’s defence.
After the official response from Washington, Minister Stoyanov announced that the Bulgarian government is working on extending the life of its MiG-29s to buy time, but the only countries equipped to perform the necessary repairs to its MiG-29s are Poland, Israel and Russia. Bulgaria refuses to use the services of the latter. Russia has repeatedly sent its combat aircraft within Bulgarian territorial airspace, possibly in an effort to wear down Sofia’s equipment faster by forcing them to scramble.
Minister Stoyanov also clarified that the „triangular deals” are now off the table, in which Bulgaria would have donated its older equipment to Ukraine as it was replaced with modern equipment from the USA.
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Bulgaria Scraps Ukranian Military Donations as US Leave Sofia Without F-16s
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