Nenchev, Nuland Discuss Options for Bulgarian Air Force Upgrade

Bulgaria's Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev has discussed modernisation options for the Bulgarian Armed Forces and the Air Force in particular with the visiting United States Assistant Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.

Nenchev said last week that the Bulgarian Air Force could have its ageing Soviet-made combat aircraft replaced by new multi-role warplanes in the next three to three-and-a half years. The government commission tasked with studying the available options is expected to submit a report by the end of March.

Increased defence spending in line with the new commitments of NATO member states defined at the Alliance's 2014 Wales summit were also on the agenda of the meeting between Nenchev and Nuland, the Defence Ministry in Sofia said in a statement on Tuesday.

Nuland, who is in charge of European and Eurasian Affaris at the State Department, is visiting Bulgaria as part of her Eastern European tour that began last week.

Nenchev and Nuland also discussed the implementation of the U.S. initiative to ensure the security of its allies in Eastern Europe, Operation Atlantic Resolve, as well as naval cooperation in the Black Sea, according to the statement.

Victoria Nuland visited Bulgaria in January 2015 as part of a delegation led by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.