site.btaUPDATED Defence Minister: US Unable to Supply Substitute F-16 Fighters to Bulgaria, Advises Continued Use of MiG-29

The United States cannot possibly provide Bulgaria with F-16 fighter jets as a platform to replace the Bulgarian Air Force’ MiG-29 aircraft, and diligently recommends that Bulgaria keep using the MiG-29s, caretaker Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said here on Wednesday, quoting a letter from the US Air Force. He was given a hearing at the parliamentary Defence Committee.

Stoyanov added that his ministry is working on extending the life of the MiG-29 fighter jets.

"I hope that the bids will be submitted in time, because at the moment there are intentions expressed, we are waiting for specifics," Stoyanov said on the occasion of the two companies approved to submit initial bids under the public procurement of the Defence Ministry for the repair of six engines for MiG-29 aircraft. The companies are TEREM HOLDING EAD and Wojskowe Zaklady Lotnicze Nr2 S.A., Stoyanov told reporters after being heard in Parliament.

"We are doing everything possible to keep the MiG-29 fighters flying as long as possible. That was the idea behind the procurement of engines and engine overhauls. We have worked on the other option - a replacement platform for the fighters, but the Parliamentary Committee on Defence will probably not be satisfied with the price for the bids received," the minister explained.

Ivaylo Mirchev MP of Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria asked the Defence Minister about the possibility of Bulgaria using a sum of US dollars to purchase US military equipment in case Bulgaria gives Ukraine Soviet military equipment, as well as what actions the Defence Ministry has taken to take advantage of that opportunity. Stoyanov said that the sum as well as what the US side has offered are classified information. 

Mirchev said that Bulgaria remains the only country in the region that has not donated old Soviet arms to Kyiv. "At the moment we can provide arms to Ukraine and through triangular deals get the opportunity for alternative rearmament from our Western allies. As long as you continue to work only with letters, Bulgaria will remain the largest Soviet arms depot in Eastern Europe. As a former officer of the Bulgarian army, you should be most concerned about its rapid and urgent rearmament," Mirchev stressed.

It is untrue that no proposals for providing Ukraine with arms have been received during the caretaker government’s term in office, Stoyanov noted. While the regular government was in power, there were requests for Su-25 and MiG-29 aircraft, shells and other armament, but no reaction followed, he added. He reiterated that the time for the so-called triangular deals has been missed.

Without a budget, the army's modernisation programme, including the infantry fighting vehicle, howitzers, radars, cannot be implemented, Stoyanov told the media.

According to him, the lack of a new budget will have a negative impact not only on modernisation, but also on the recruitment of the Bulgarian army, because one of the motives of young people is to operate new equipment.

There are no specifics as to which side will receive the compensation for the arms and equipment provided to Ukraine, the minister said in response to a question by BTA related to the financial compensation Bulgaria will receive through the European Union (EU) European Reassurance Facility (ERF) for the equipment, arms and humanitarian aid provided to Ukraine. Bulgaria will receive 59% compensation for the assistance provided to Ukraine in the period July-November 2022. Stoyanov added that the installments Bulgaria is to receive are spread over the years until 2026.