Bulgarian Air Force

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.

The Bulgarian parliament will decide on Thursday whether to allow the country's airspace to be guarded not only by the Bulgarian army, but also by the armed forces of NATO allies.

This could be achieved by amendments to the Defence and Armed Forces Act.

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.

The first two engines which will be used for repair of six Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets were delivered at the Graf Ignatievo air base on Tuesday.

This is in line with the implementation of the intergovernmental agreement signed between Bulgaria and Poland in October.

According to the agreement, six Bulgarian engines will be repaired in Poland until the middle of next year.

The first two engines to be used in the repair of the Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets are expected to arrive from Poland on Tuesday.

Bulgaria and Poland signed an intergovernmental agreement on the repair of six of the country's fighter jets in October.

Poland will loan out two engines for temporary use until two of the Bulgarian engines are being repaired.

The Russian manufacturer of Bulgarian Air Force's MiG-29s would be unable to guarantee the flight safety of the multirole jet fighters if Poland becomes involved in their repair, a key Russian government official has said.

The Bulgarian government approved at its regular meeting on Wednesday a bill amending and supplementing the Defence and Armed Forces Act, which would allow for joint air policing missions to safeguard the country's airspace.

The bill was tabled for review and approval by the parliament, the press service of the government informs.