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"According to the Air Force command, the most effective and expedient way of maintaining the capabilities of aviation for missions and assignments, and above all, air policing, is to maintain the MiG-29 fleet. The reasons for this are that the MiG-29s can be used until 2028-2029, and some of them even until 2030. Next, infrastructure and trained air and ground crews are available for this type of aircraft, and Bulgarian pilots keep flying air policing missions on Bulgarian aircraft without an interruption. Opting for replacement aircraft would require a different infrastructure and specialists, which will delay the process," the Bulgarian Air Force Deputy Commander, Brigadier General Petyo Mirchev, says in an interview on armymedia.bg.
He adds that talks with Poland on maintaining the airworthiness of the MiG-29s have reached the most advanced stage. The Poles are ready to review and analyze the condition of the aviation equipment. Spare parts and certain components will be needed, and above all, engines will have to be repaired. A public procurement procedure will be initiated for the supply of new or used engines, which will extend the time for pilot training and adequate flight hours, the Deputy Commander says.
The war in Ukraine has impeded seriously the maintenance of MiG-29s (the only fighters the Bulgarian Air Force posesses) because Russia, Ukraine and Belarus can no longer be relied on for this purpose.
"If deliveries of the F-16s begin in 2025, the initial operational capabilities will be acquired within the next two or three years, and full capabilities will take another two or three years to acquire, i.e. by 2028-2030," Brigadier General Mirchev says.
On July 11, 2019, Bulgaria signed four letters of agreement on the acquisition of materiel from the US, including eight multi-role F-16 Block 70 aircraft and associated support, munitions, Sidewinder AIM 9X Block II Missiles and associated material and services at a price of USD 1.2 billion, which were ratified by Parliament on July 19, 2019. The contracts expire in January 2027. The first two jets were to be delivered in the middle of 2023 and the last two in the first quarter of 2024, but the COVID-19 has delayed the implementation of the project.
Replying to a question, the General says that the airfield infrastructure at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base will be ready to welcome the F-16 Block 70 fighters in early 2025. Work is going on according schedule. The facilities are being designed. About a dozen building permits have been issued, and part of these facilities  are expected to go under construction in a matter of days.
Under the agreement on acquisition of F-16 Block 70 aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force, 14 Bulgarian pilots will be trained in the US. Between 20% and 25% of the personnel that is undergoing training is expected to drop out of the course. In such case, back-up pilots are ready to leave for training, the interviewee says, asked to comment rumours that three Bulgarian pilots have been returned from the US because of underachievement.

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