Sulman Badshah
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Bulgaria to begin negotiations for 'new' fighter aircraft
Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
01 July 2015
Bulgaria is to open negotiations with three F-16-operating nations for the procurement of surplus platforms, such as those of the Hellenic Air Force pictured. Source: Hellenic Air Force
Bulgaria has approved the procurement of a new combat aircraft type to replace its ageing MiG-29 'Fulcrum' and Sukhoi Su-25 'Frogfoot' platforms, national media reported on 1 July.
The country's cabinet approved the purchase of an as-yet-unidentified combat aircraft to replace the air force's Warsaw Pact-era fighters that have been in service since 1988 and 1986 respectively, according to the Novinite.com Sofia News Agency .
Defence minister Nikolay Nenchev made the announcement that he is to begin negotiations with Belgium, Greece, and the Netherlands for the procurement of surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, although another aircraft type from a different source remains an option. According to Nenchev, the air force requires at least nine aircraft to retain a viable 'combat air' capability.
While timelines were not disclosed, the minister is reported to have said that the issue of a repair agreement for the MiG-29s currently in service is not driving any deadlines as he expects a contract to be signed with Poland by the end of August at the latest.
Since announcing its plans to recapitalise its combat aircraft fleet, Bulgaria has been linked to the purchase of surplus Block 25 F-16s from the US Air National Guard, F-16AM midlife upgrade aircraft from Belgium, early tranche Eurofighter Typhoons from the Italian Air Force, surplus Saab Gripens from Sweden, as well as the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder. This latest announcement by Nenchev now throws Dutch F-16AM and Greek F-16C/D platforms into the mix.
The acquisition of 'new' fighters is expected to cost approximately BGN500 million (USD283 million).
Gareth Jennings, London - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
01 July 2015
Bulgaria is to open negotiations with three F-16-operating nations for the procurement of surplus platforms, such as those of the Hellenic Air Force pictured. Source: Hellenic Air Force
Bulgaria has approved the procurement of a new combat aircraft type to replace its ageing MiG-29 'Fulcrum' and Sukhoi Su-25 'Frogfoot' platforms, national media reported on 1 July.
The country's cabinet approved the purchase of an as-yet-unidentified combat aircraft to replace the air force's Warsaw Pact-era fighters that have been in service since 1988 and 1986 respectively, according to the Novinite.com Sofia News Agency .
Defence minister Nikolay Nenchev made the announcement that he is to begin negotiations with Belgium, Greece, and the Netherlands for the procurement of surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon jets, although another aircraft type from a different source remains an option. According to Nenchev, the air force requires at least nine aircraft to retain a viable 'combat air' capability.
While timelines were not disclosed, the minister is reported to have said that the issue of a repair agreement for the MiG-29s currently in service is not driving any deadlines as he expects a contract to be signed with Poland by the end of August at the latest.
Since announcing its plans to recapitalise its combat aircraft fleet, Bulgaria has been linked to the purchase of surplus Block 25 F-16s from the US Air National Guard, F-16AM midlife upgrade aircraft from Belgium, early tranche Eurofighter Typhoons from the Italian Air Force, surplus Saab Gripens from Sweden, as well as the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex/Chengdu Aircraft Industry Corporation (PAC/CAC) JF-17 Thunder. This latest announcement by Nenchev now throws Dutch F-16AM and Greek F-16C/D platforms into the mix.
The acquisition of 'new' fighters is expected to cost approximately BGN500 million (USD283 million).
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