Bulgarian Cabinet Approves Negotiations for Purchase of New Fighter Jets

The Bulgarian cabinet approved on Wednesday the country's participation in negotiations for the purchase of new fighter jets.

This was announced by Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev after the government granted him mandate to head negotiations with Belgium, the Netherlands and Greece.

It was still not clear whether the negotiations will concern the purchase of new jets or second-hand ones, daily Dnevnik reports.

Nenchev clarified that the above countries offered second-hand F-16s, but it was not excluded for negotiations to be led with producers on the purchase of new jets.

In order for ensuring the proper functioning of the Bulgarian air force, a squadron of least nine jets should be purchased.

The Defence Minister added that the Bulgarian state is not pushed by deadlines for the purchase of new fighter jets as the issue with the repair of the MiG-29s has been resolved.

An agreement on the repair of two or four of the engines is expected to be signed with Poland by the end of next month at the latest.

The second stage foresees for the repair of another 10-12 engines.

Nenchev pointed that Poland offered much more favourable terms and lower prices than Russia on the repair of the MiG-29s.

As regards the safeguard of the country's air space, which was regulated within the framework of NATO's Air Policing missions, only Poland has expressed interest.