Bulgarian President Rumen Radev has discussed the challenges to guaranteeing air sovereignty of the country at a working meeting with Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov, the Chief of Defense Adm. Emil Eftimov and Commander of the Air Force, Major General Dimitar Petrov, the press center of the head of state reported.

The President said that it was necessary to take urgent measures to ensure the protection of the airspace by Bulgarian-owned aircraft and Bulgarian crews. The possibilities offered in this direction by the Ministry of Defense require in-depth analysis, as well as timely and adequate solutions in times of a complicated geopolitical situation, it was pointed out at the meeting.

According to a cabinet's decision, in the period from April 1 to May 31, airspace security will be strengthened through the performance of joint tasks by the Bulgarian Air Force together with forces and two aircraft of the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF). "Starting March 4 to June 2, forces and resources of RNLAF, consisting of up to 8 aircraft and up to 200 servicemen, would be deployed on the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria" the government's document reads.