Bulgaria’s Parliamentary Defense Committee approved the government’s proposal to allow the temporary deployment of up to eight US military tanker aircraft and 250 American service members at the Bezmer airbase. The decision was backed by 11 members of the committee, while one voted against and two abstained.
The proposal will now be submitted for a vote in the National Assembly’s plenary hall. It was introduced by Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, following a request from the United States for the stationing of KC-135 tanker aircraft, military personnel with personal weapons and ammunition, and the necessary aviation equipment at Bezmer from July 24 until October 1, 2026.
Unlike the previous deployment of US aircraft at Sofia’s civilian airport, the current request is officially linked to supporting American operations in the Middle East. The government has argued that parliamentary approval is required due to public concerns raised after the earlier deployment.
Stoyanov said he would travel to the Yambol region on Friday to meet with local mayors and discuss the issue directly with representatives from the communities surrounding the Bezmer military airbase.
"I am ready to talk with all the mayors from the region where the Bezmer military airport is located," the defense minister said, adding that the decision by parliament aims to address concerns among local residents.
