Graf Ignatievo Air Base

Bulgarian President Rumen Radev is set to perform a demonstration flight in an F-16 fighter jet, following an invitation from the US Air Force, according to a statement from the president's administration.

Acting Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov has clarified that the airbase near Graf Ignatievo will not include facilities for storing nuclear weapons. This information was provided in response to a query from MP Ivan Petkov of the Bulgarian Socialist Party.

In response to ongoing staffing challenges within the Bulgarian army, the caretaker government is exploring alternative solutions, with military training for security personnel emerging as a potential strategy.

Bulgaria's Parliament approved a contract to build a warehouse to store classified equipment and weapons for the F-16 aircraft. The premises will be located at the Graf Ignatievo air base and will cost 7.2 million dollars.

The contract provides for:

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,

Bulgaria received today from Poland the first aircraft engine for the MiG-29 fighters. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense on its Twitter account.

Today ???????? received the first aircraft engine for the MiG-29. ????????, thank you for your #allied #solidarity! #StrongerTogether @PremierRP_en @MorawieckiM @Poland_MOD @mblaszczak

The Ministry of Defense has issued a public order for the purchase of six refurbished engines for MiG-29 fighters. For the delivery of the engines, the military department has set aside BGN 26.4 million including VAT, according to a reference in the portal for public procurement.

American F-35 fighters have landed at Graf Ignatievo Air Base as a continuation of the NATO mission to protect Bulgaria's airspace.

The statement came from NATO's Allied Air Command on Twitter but did not specify the number of aircraft.

Dutch F-35 aircraft will perform demonstration flights with the Bulgarian MiG-29 today. This will take place at Graf Ignatievo Air Base as part of a visit by the civilian and military leadership.

The Ministers of Defense of Bulgaria and Spain arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base today. They will inspect the joint airspace guard performed by MiG-29 and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters.

The crews of 4 Eurofighter Typhoon fighters and another 130 members of the Spanish contingent are already based and certified in Bulgaria for these tasks.