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

Experts: Sweden and France may provide Bulgaria with fighter jets to replace the Mig-29s

Bulgaria will not receive its 8 US F-16s before 2025.
Photo: BGNES

Sweden and France are the only two countries that can provide replacement fighter jets until the first eight US F-16s ordered and paid for by Bulgaria arrive in the country, military experts have concluded. 

The Swedish Gripen and the French Mirage 2000 are the two most realistic options for Bulgaria, which must finally land its Mig-29s by the end of 2023, but will not get its first F-16s until then. The US was supposed to deliver the fighter jets in 2023, but during the Covid-19 pandemic it became clear that production would be delayed until 2025.
Italy, the Netherlands and Spain have reacted negatively to Bulgaria's expectations for replacement jets.



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

President Radev hopes that North Macedonia will demonstrate political will and open its path to the EU

President Rumen Radev held a phone conversation with the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue and other Western Balkan Regional Issues Miroslav Lajčák. The two discussed aspects of the European integration process of the..

published on 1/22/25 5:53 PM

UPDATED Yemen's Houthis release Galaxy Leader crew, including two Bulgarians

Yemen's Houthi rebels from the Ansar Allah group have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, which was hijacked in the Red Sea in late 2023, BNT reported. The captain and the chief mate are Bulgarian citizens. Reuters reports that the crew was on..

published on 1/22/25 3:55 PM

Prime Minister Zhelyazkov outlines new government's plans to European Commission

"During our meeting with the President of the European Commission, it was crucial to reaffirm the mutual trust between the new Bulgarian government and the new Commission, " said Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov after his meeting with Ursula von..

published on 1/22/25 1:17 PM