Bulgaria seeks MiG-29 spare parts from Poland; arrival of American aircraft is delayed

Bulgaria is taking active steps to ensure the maintenance of its air fleet, while the process of deploying American military equipment in the country has undergone a schedule change. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov made these clarifications during a visit to the Yambol region.

Securing spare parts for MiG-29

In the context of Poland's plans to transfer its MiG-29 fighters to Ukraine, Sofia has sent an official inquiry to Warsaw. The goal is to understand the fate of the Polish machines and whether Bulgaria can benefit from the available spare parts to maintain its own fleet.

According to the minister, upon a positive response, Bulgaria will send a specialized team to assess the compatibility of the parts. "We must guarantee our airspace. Bulgaria's sky must be protected by our planes with our pilots," Stoyanov emphasized, adding that possibilities are also being explored through inquiries to Hungary.

Delay of the American military mission

The arrival of the eight American aircraft, for which an emergency note was submitted, will not happen immediately. Instead of the arrival planned for today at Bezmer Air Base, the machines will likely land next week. The reason is related to the complex process of operational planning and requirements from the American side for additional information.

Context and public reaction

The decision to accept the American equipment was made by the National Assembly on July 22 with 136 votes in favor. The process triggered both political and social reactions—from protests by mayors in the Yambol region to diplomatic notes from Iran. The government defends its decision as necessary for national security, emphasizing that Bulgaria is not a military target.

What this means for citizens: Strengthening the maintenance capabilities of Bulgarian fighters is key to maintaining the continuous combat duty of the air force. This ensures that the country will have the capacity for immediate response to threats to national airspace sovereignty.