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Bulgaria has been experiencing shortage of aviation equipment for years

Photo: BTA

During the official presentation of the results of the inspection in the Air Force after the fatal crash of a training airplane at the "Graf Ignatievo" airport, which cost the lives of two pilots, caretaker Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov pointed out that there was a chronic shortage of serviceable aviation equipment. According to Zapryanov, this shortage has been observed for years in all aviation platforms - the MiG-29 fighters, the Su-25 aircraft, the L-39 training aircraft, and even when it comes to the Spartan transport aircraft. The same applies to the Cougar helicopters and especially to the Mi-17 helicopters, the minister pointed out.

The available number of planes and helicopters for operational use is not sufficient to maintain the necessary flight hours of pilots to perform all the tasks and exercises of combat training, Zapryanov also pointed out.

He specified that much of the information in the report is classified and it will be provided to the Air Force Command as well as to the heads of bases.



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