Bulgaria’s government has approved a plan to replace its armed forces’ Soviet-era equipment with modern combat aircraft and new multipurpose patrol boats.
The plan will soon be presented for approval by parliament.
Options to replace the air force’s MiG-29s range from secondhand Lockheed Martin F-16s and early-productionEurofighter Typhoons to new Saab JAS 39C/D Gripens. Bulgaria is looking for up to 19 aircraft in a procurement expected to be worth around $500 million.
In the interim, Bulgaria has moved to ensure the continued airworthiness of its MiG-29s and signed a deal with Poland to overhaul the airframe and engines. Defense Minister Nikolai Nenchev says Bulgaria hopes to have about 12 fully serviceable MiG-29s “within a few months.”