Bulgaria’s Defense Ministry has launched a public procurement procedure worth 17 million euros, including VAT, for the repair of up to 10 engines for the country’s MiG-29 fighter jets as Sofia seeks to keep the aging fleet operational until its new F-16 aircraft become fully ready for service.
The procurement has been published in the Public Procurement Register, with the deadline for submitting offers set for September 1. The procedure comes after an earlier tender launched at the beginning of the year failed because no companies submitted applications.
The move follows ongoing discussions over how to maintain Bulgaria’s Soviet-era fighter fleet during the delayed transition to American-made F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The Defense Ministry has also explored options with Poland regarding possible access to MiG-29 aircraft and spare parts.
Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Bulgaria’s goal is not to expand its MiG-29 fleet but to secure the components needed to keep existing aircraft flying and fulfill NATO air-policing duties.
“We do not want to build a full squadron, to buy new MiG-29s. We have enough aircraft, but for that we need spare parts,” Stoyanov previously said.
