A pair of Bulgarian Air Force MiG-29s departing their homebase. Bulgaria had previously disclosed a plan to acquire an interim fighter while it awaits its new F-16s, but has now told Janes that this plan is now classified. (Bulgarian Air Force)
Bulgaria has now declared classified its previously publicised plan to procure an interim fighter to bridge the gap between its soon-to-be-retired MiG-29 ‘Fulcrum' and soon-to-be-received Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 combat aircraft.
Having hitherto responded to questions from Janes on its interim fighter plan that was first disclosed in 2022, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 11 July that it would no longer do so.
“I am informing you that the requested information you want is defined as classified. In this regard we will not send it to you,” the MoD said in response to a request for an update on the plan that was supposed to have seen an interim fighter in service with the Bulgarian Air Force (BuAF) in late 2023.
The MoD said in October 2022 that it had received offers for the supply of interim combat aircraft as it struggled to maintain the airworthiness of its MiG-29s at the same time as managing a delay to the arrival of its F-16 Block 70s.
At that time, information had been received from France and Sweden on the Saab Gripen and Dassault Mirage 2000 respectively, with Israel and the United States expected to provide information on early model F-16s.
The MoD said at the time that, upon completion of the agreed lease period, the selected aircraft could be returned or purchased and retained in Bulgarian service.
For more information on the BuAF, please seeBulgaria – Air Force .
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