The Bulgarian Air Force (BuAF) is poised to transform its fighter fleet as the days of its ageing MiG-29s are numbered, while the newly ordered F-16 Block 70s are due to be taken on strength not before 2025.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, BuAF MiG-29 support from Russia is no longer possible, with the fleet still having some residual service life to allow flying until mid/late-2023. Beyond that date, if no further support is contracted, Sofia, BuAF’s headquarters, would be rendered incapable to provide an independent Air Policing mission within the frame of NATO’s Integrated Air Defence and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). This mission calls for a pair of BuAF MiG-29s to be kept on quick reaction alert (QRA) duty 24/7.
Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said he was still investigating how to get additional support and spare parts in a bid to extend the MiG-29’s service and keep the Air Policing mission running. Negotiations were held with Poland in 2022 to overhaul a small number of RD-33 engines for the BuAF MiG-29 and purchase overhauled engines from the Polish Air Force. There are indications that some engines will be provided by Poland in a bid to allow the BuAF MiG-29 to continue operations even int…
