Bulgaria’s Vrazhdebna and Bezmer military air bases are set to receive upgrades financed through NATO funds, after the government approved additional requirements under the Alliance’s Capability Programme Plan.
The Council of Ministers said a special project aimed at improving the operational capabilities of the two airfields is already underway. The planned infrastructure works and facilities will be financed through NATO’s Security Investment Programme (NSIP), meaning they will not require additional money from Bulgaria’s state budget.
The modernization is expected to increase the ability of both bases to host allied forces and military equipment, improve cooperation with NATO structures and strengthen both Bulgaria’s defense capabilities and the Alliance’s collective security.
The NSIP program finances strategic military infrastructure across NATO member states, including air bases, communications networks, logistics facilities and other installations needed for joint operations.
Vrazhdebna Air Base, located at Sofia’s Vasil Levski Airport, is expected to become a more important NATO facility. The military base shares runways and taxiways with the civilian airport, and until now its infrastructure has limited its ability to accommodate larger allied aircraft.
