site.btaUPDATED Linking US Aircraft Presence at Sofia Airport to Non-NATO Operations Is Speculation, Says Defence Minister

Any attempt to link the presence of US aircraft on Bulgarian territory to operations outside NATO plans is speculation, caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said during a parliamentary hearing on Thursday.

The hearing concerned US military aircraft currently stationed at Sofia Airport, tensions in the Middle East, and the planned temporary restriction of the airport for certain civil purposes. Zapryanov reiterated that the deployment is part of a training activity within NATO's collective defence plans.

"The fact that some provocative websites are spreading false and misleading information about the purpose of deploying these aircraft on our territory, and that we give ear to such fake news, only worsens our country's security," the minister said.

In connection with a diplomatic note received on February 17, 2026 from the US Embassy in Sofia, the Defence Minister authorized the transit through Bulgarian airspace and the temporary stay, of a non-combat nature, of up to 15 US Air Force aircraft, landing at Sofia Airport for refuelling. Approximately 500 service members are to support the aircraft at the adjacent Vrazhdebna Air Base for the period from February 17 to May 31, 2026.

Zapryanov stated that the purpose of the presence on Bulgarian territory is to conduct training activities in support of NATO's enhanced vigilance measures.

Sofia Airport, together with Vrazhdebna Air Base, has been declared as a host-nation support airport under Bulgaria's allied commitments, the minister noted. He explained that Vrazhdebna Air Base alone cannot accommodate such a large number of aircraft, while other declared airports - Plovdiv, Varna, Burgas, Gorna Oryahovitsa, Bezmer and Graf Ignatievo - are either undergoing reconstruction and modernization or lack the full range of required capabilities, including sufficient fuel supplies, space for multiple military transport aircraft, or adequate servicing capacity.

As of February 25, ten Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling aircraft were stationed at Sofia Airport. The number changes daily but cannot exceed the authorized limit of 15 aircraft, Zapryanov said.

The infrastructure of Sofia Airport is currently operating without any interference from the military, Zapryanov noted.

He explained that all flights of the US aircraft are scheduled within designated time slots, submitted 12 to 24 hours in advance. "There is not a single delay or change in civil air traffic at the airport," Zapryanov stressed. "We have never requested the closure of the airport," he added, noting that in 2025 the airport had been temporarily closed 20 times for engineering works carried out by its operator.

In response to a question from Toshko Yordanov of There Is Such a People, Zapryanov assured MPs that the caretaker prime minister has been informed of all decisions and diplomatic notes, and that ministries have been instructed to improve coordination. Priority has been set to separate and protect civil flights.

The minister also announced plans for an open day for media, citizens and MPs to see the aircraft. A similar proposal was made by Defence Committee Chair Hristo Gadzhev (GERB-UDF).

Zapryanov explained that under the Defence and Armed Forces Act and the Act on the Transit and Stay of Foreign Armed Forces on Bulgarian Territory, he has the authority, upon proposal by the military leadership, to approve the deployment of up to 15 aircraft and up to 1,000 personnel for non-combat purposes. He said he had duly notified the President, the Prime Minister and the Parliament Chair.

"We have had similar exercises at Bezmer, even involving combat and transport aviation, and this has never been subject to discussion at the Council of Ministers," Zapryanov said, emphasizing that the decisions are based on ratified agreements and his legal competences.

"There are no allied bases in Bulgaria, only joint facilities used for training between the US and Bulgaria under an agreement ratified by Parliament in 2006," he added. He noted that under NATO plans, Bulgaria has declared airports, railway stations, roads, rail lines and ports that are included in national defence planning.

According to Zapryanov, one of the key topics at this year's high-level meeting in Ankara will be ensuring that all host nations are capable of receiving allied forces. "The Alliance currently has training forces deployed along the entire eastern flank, and we are discussing a training exercise involving Vrazhdebna Air Base and the use of parking stands at Sofia Airport," he commented.

In response to a question from Gabriel Valkov of BSP - United Left, Zapryanov said that, besides Sofia, there are periodic plans for deployment at other airports declared for collective defence purposes.