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

Bulgaria's MiG-29 jets will continue to fly even after the delivery of F-16s

Photo: BGNES

Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev has surprisingly announced that a procedure is underway for 6 more engines for the MiG-29 jets of the Bulgarian Army and that the Soviet aircraft would not only fly until the arrival of the F-16s, but will continue to operate after that. 

"During my mandate, we concluded a contract for the repair of 6 engines for the MiG 29 jets and two units for coordinating their work, which will allow several aircraft to be operational and maintained. We have done our best to make these aircraft flying until the delivery of the F-16 jets and even a little bit beyond that,” the minister told BNT. The first F-16s are expected to arrive in the spring of 2025.

Bulgaria has a dozen MiG-29s, of which usually no more than 6-7 are operational. Licensed repairs are done only in Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, while engines can be provided by the same countries, as well as Poland and Slovakia.



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

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov (L) and GERB leader Boyko Borissov.

GERB and DPS-New Beginning rule out early elections

‘This is not the time for early elections,’ said Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at a GERB party conference. According to BTA, he was opposed to holding elections during the country’s planned adoption of the euro in 2026. GERB chairman Boyko..

published on 10/17/25 1:12 PM
Blagomir Kotsev

Appellate Court-Sofia leaves Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev in custody

The Sofia Appellate Court left in custody Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev, who is charged with corruption and participation in an organized crime group.  The judgment is final. One of the three judges, Andrey Angelov, signed with a dissenting..

published on 10/17/25 11:03 AM

Justice Minister Georgiev discusses with the EC legislative changes related to the new payment under the RRP

Bulgaria’s Minister of Justice Georgi Georgiev conferred in Brussels with the European Commission team responsible for the Resilience and Recovery Plan (RRP) reforms in Bulgaria, reported the Ministry of Justice. EC: RRP payment depends on..

published on 10/17/25 9:51 AM