Bulgarian air force

Cooperation in the areas of defence and security between Bulgaria and Poland has been on the agenda of Monday's talks in Sofia between Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and Polish President Andrzej Duda, the government press office has announced.

The Bulgarian defence ministry informed on Friday that it has launched a public tender for the supply of ten engines for MiG-29 fighter jets.

The engines can be either new or repaired ones and are needed to extend the operational capacity of five fighter jets, daily Sega informs.

A project to acquire two multi-purpose patrol ships with modular design for the Bulgarian Naval Force will cost BGN 820 M (EUR 419 M), the country's Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev has said.

Bulgaria's Defence Council has approved the investment project for acquiring new fighter jets for the country's Air Force, public broadcaster BNR reported on Monday.

The decision was taken by the consultative body within the Defence Ministry last week, according to BNR.

The changes to Defence and Armed Forces Act approved on Friday make Bulgaria "a more reliable NATO ally", Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev has said, referring to the Parliament's approval of participation of allied aircraft in joint air policing missions.

Bulgaria's Defence Council has nominated Lieutenant General Constantin Popov as new Chief of Defence, replacing Vice Admiral Rumen Nikolov.

Bulgaria's Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev has discussed modernisation options for the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the Air Force in particular with the visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.

The Bulgarian Air Force could have its ageing Soviet-made combat aircraft replaced by new multi-role warplanes in the next three to three-and-a half years, Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Wednesday.

The government commission tasked with studying the available options is expected to submit a report by the end of March, Nenchev told bTV broadcaster.

Bulgaria will call a tender for six new engines for its MiG-29 fighter jets and the relevant spare parts by the end of the month, Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Tuesday.

A wildfire that raged in the Rhodope mountains above the city of Smolyan, in southern Bulgaria, has been contained, bTV reported on Thursday evening.

The spreading of the blaze has been halted, Smolyan Mayor Nikolai Melemov told the TV station.

There was already no risk to people, houses or other buildings around the perimeter of the fire as of 7 p.m. (1700 GMT).