Bulgaria does not plan to give Ukraine MiG-29 fighters for free - only in exchange for aircraft from the US and allies

The Bulgarian Air Force has 16 MiG-29 fighters in service. Recently the media reported that the Balkan state could give the Soviet planes to Ukraine for free. The Bulgarian Defence Ministry issued a denial.

Here's What We Know

Bulgaria is indeed ready to transfer its MiG-29 fighters to the Ukrainian Air Force, but not for free. In return, it wants western planes from the United States and partners, as otherwise it will be left without fighters for two years.

It should be noted that out of 16 aircrafts in service of the Bulgarian Air Force only six remain in working order. This is due to the fact that due to sanctions against Russia Bulgaria can no longer buy Russian spare parts to repair the fighters.

In the fall of 2022, the government approved the purchase of F-16s upgraded to Block 70/72 (Viper). This was the second contract. Bulgaria and Lockheed Martin signed the first agreement in 2020. Deliveries of the planes were scheduled for 2023, but the US company recently announced that it would not be able to deliver the fighters until 2025.

Source: Bulgarian Ministry of Defence