Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Bulgaria has been experiencing shortage of aviation equipment for years

Photo: BTA

During the official presentation of the results of the inspection in the Air Force after the fatal crash of a training airplane at the "Graf Ignatievo" airport, which cost the lives of two pilots, caretaker Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov pointed out that there was a chronic shortage of serviceable aviation equipment. According to Zapryanov, this shortage has been observed for years in all aviation platforms - the MiG-29 fighters, the Su-25 aircraft, the L-39 training aircraft, and even when it comes to the Spartan transport aircraft. The same applies to the Cougar helicopters and especially to the Mi-17 helicopters, the minister pointed out.

The available number of planes and helicopters for operational use is not sufficient to maintain the necessary flight hours of pilots to perform all the tasks and exercises of combat training, Zapryanov also pointed out.

He specified that much of the information in the report is classified and it will be provided to the Air Force Command as well as to the heads of bases.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Another hot day with temperatures in the plains reaching 41°C

On Friday , the lowest temperatures will be between 18 to 25°C. In Sofia it will be 20°C. During the day it will be sunny and hot again. There will be light wind, mainly from the east. The highest temperatures will be between 36 and..

published on 7/24/25 7:05 PM

Three opposition forces insist that the National Assembly votes on higher incomes for young doctors and specialists

“We Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria”, “Alliance for Rights and Freedoms” and MECH have submitted a request to the Speaker of the National Assembly Natalia Kiselova to convene an extraordinary plenary session to consider the..

published on 7/24/25 4:26 PM

Bulgarian military contingent returns from NATO mission in Kosovo

The contingent of the NATO Stabilization Force in Kosovo has been welcomed with a solemn ceremony in Blagoevgrad, BTA reports. In his welcome address, Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov congratulated the servicemen on the successful..

published on 7/24/25 3:46 PM