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

Defence Minister Tagarev: Bulgaria has maintenance problems with its MiG-29s

Todor Tagarev
Photo: BTA

Defence Minister Todor Tagarev admitted that Bulgaria has problems with the maintenance of its MiG-29 aircraft. He added that the planes should remain in service until they are replaced by F-16s. 

"The MiG-29s are upkept with an effort, but their engines cannot be maintained in this way," he said during his hearing at the parliamentary defence committee, as quoted by BGNES news agency. The first batch of F-16 Block 70s should be delivered by 2025, and the last by 2030. "We hope to be able to conclude a contract to overhaul our engines," Tagarev said.

During the hearing, it was revealed that a Bulgarian aircraft has been at an airport in Ukraine for about a year, but its return has been hampered by a lack of safe conditions.



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

Sofia has a chance to be elected "European Capital of Democracy"

The cities of Sofia, Rotterdam and Cascais will compete for the title of "European Capital of Democracy" in 2026 . The selection will take place until March 12, 2025, by over 4,500 juries in 47 countries. Barcelona was the winner of the title in..

published on 2/17/25 9:55 AM
Vice President Iotova

Bulgaria not invited to Paris for the European forum on Ukraine

A surprising meeting, personally I think it should take place with all leaders within the EU and the UK. This was commented to BTA by Vice President Iliana Iotova on the occasion of the meeting of European leaders on Ukraine convened by French..

published on 2/17/25 9:05 AM
Temenuzhka Petkova

Finance Minister to present Bulgaria's euro area readiness in Brussels

Bulgarian Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova will travel to Brussels to provide an update on Bulgaria’s progress towards euro area accession. The Finance Ministry has confirmed that Minister Petkova will participate in the Eurogroup meeting on 17..

published on 2/17/25 7:40 AM