Bezmer Air Base

In a display of steadfast alliance and strategic cooperation, the Bulgarian and American air forces have launched joint exercises aimed at enhancing their readiness and coordination in the Black Sea region. The maneuvers, which involve simulated strikes on ground targets, highlight a continued commitment to NATO's collective defense amidst regional tensions.

Bulgaria is hosting the joint Bulgarian-American training exercise "Thracian Summer - 2023", which will take place from August 5 to 20 in the areas of the Bezmer Air Base and Cheshnegirovo Airport. This was announced by the press center of the Ministry of Defense (MoD).

With 37 votes "for", 166 "against" and 18 "abstentions", the parliament rejected a draft decision to terminate the Agreement between the governments of Bulgaria and the United States on cooperation in the field of defense, submitted by the pro-Russian party "Vazrazhdane" (Revival). GERB-SDS, WCC-DB, DPS and "There Is Such a People: voted "against", BSP abstained,

NATO countries bought 14 Soviet-made Su-25 attack aircraft in Bulgaria and handed them over to Ukraine. This is reported by "Bloomberg", referring to the Dutch analytical project Oryx, led by a former military officer, and also to statements by supporters of Ukraine.

The government has fulfilled its commitment and provided BGN 82.510 million to the Ministry of Defense for the aircraft, Prime Minister Boyko Borisov announced on his Facebook page.

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence published a BGN5.8 million (USD3.3 million) tender on 29 July for the modernisation of the Bulgarian Air Force's (BuAF's) Bezmer Air Base, 250 km east of Sofia, under the NATO Security Investment Programme (NSIP).

Bulgaria's Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev has said Armed Forces and Border Police officers are set to carry out a military drill in a move bolstering security at the country's Black Sea border.

Speaking at the inauguration of Bezmer Airbase, he has not specified a date, but has set the beginning of April as a possible timeframe.

Bulgaria spent BGN 23.7 M on its military aviation last year, with the funds allocated for restoring its flying capacity, integrated logistical maintenance and supply of spare parts for the air force.

This becomes clear from a written response of Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev to a question posed by a MP, private bTV station informs.

Bulgaria will call a tender for six new engines for its MiG-29 fighter jets and the relevant spare parts by the end of the month, Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev said on Tuesday.