Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

France has responded favorably to Bulgarian request for fighter aircraft

Bulgaria needs to replace MiG-29s until the arrival of the first F-16s it has purchased from the US.
Photo: BGNES

In addition to Sweden, France has also responded positively to Bulgaria's request for fighter jets to replace MiG-29s until the arrival of the first F-16s from the US, Brigadier General Nikolai Rusev, commander of Graf Ignatievo airbase, told BNR. 

Italy and the Netherlands have indicated that they cannot provide Bulgaria with fighter jets.
"Meetings with representatives of France and Sweden are planned to discuss the offers. Bulgaria's requests are for 10 aircraft - eight single-seaters and two two-seaters, to be received in 2023," Rusev said. He added that it is better for Bulgaria to buy the fighter jets and not just rent them



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

The EP Liberals are set to investigate the arrest of the mayor of Varna

The Renew Europe political group in the European Parliament has established a working group to examine instances in which the Bulgarian government may have acted against the rule of law. The move comes in response to what the group describes as..

published on 10/22/25 1:37 PM

Employment in Bulgaria is among the highest in the EU, but over 1 million people are unemployed

As of December 31, 2024, there were 3,765,000 people of working age, or 58.5% of the country's population. Men are 1,970,000, and women - 1,795,000. This was announced by the Deputy Chair of the National Statistical Institute (NSI)..

published on 10/22/25 10:46 AM

President Radev thanks South Africa for lifting short-term visas for Bulgarians

President Rumen Radev has sent a letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa expressing his gratitude for the decision of the Republic of South Africa to lift visa requirements for short-term stays for Bulgarian citizens. Radev..

published on 10/22/25 10:23 AM