“There is no such thing as Russian or old airplanes, once they have been paid for by the Bulgarian citizens they are Bulgarian and will defend the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the country,” Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said during an inspection, at Bezmer air force base, of the 8 Su-25 attack aircraft which underwent a major overhaul and modernization in Belarus.

“For many years we have not had the 8 aircraft of this kind in combat readiness. Su-25 can fly any time and is completely compatible with NATO aviation. The overhaul, alongside the 16 new engines cost 42 million euro. The new 6,000 hour flight resource is a good opportunity for pilot training,” Minister Karakachanov added.