Bulgaria's Air Force is facing a difficult transition period after the United States and Sweden rejected Sofia's requests for used F-16 and Gripen fighter jets, while deliveries of the country's second batch of new F-16s are expected to be delayed until mid-2030.
Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said the situation had left Bulgaria looking for ways to keep its existing MiG-29 fleet operational for as long as possible.
“The situation in the Air Force is complicated and the only solution I see at the moment is the MiG-29, no matter how unpleasant it may be for some,” Stoyanov said during a hearing before Parliament's Defense Committee, according to BTA.
He said he did not consider it particularly important whether the aircraft used for air policing missions were MiG-29s or F-16s, focusing instead on ensuring that Bulgaria could continue protecting its airspace.
The issue has become more pressing because the delivery schedule for Bulgaria's second batch of eight new F-16 fighters has slipped again. The aircraft were originally expected to begin arriving in 2028, but the schedule was later moved to 2029. The latest expectation is that deliveries will not be completed until around the middle of 2030.
