MiG-29 with service life until 2029: Hristo Gadzhev on the future of our combat aviation

End of the MiG-29 era in the Bulgarian Air Force

The technical service life of the Bulgarian MiG-29 fighters will be exhausted by 2029, when they are scheduled to be officially retired. This was stated to journalists in the National Assembly by GERB-SDS MP Hristo Gadzhev.

Regarding spare parts and maintenance

Soviet love never rusts, in this case towards Soviet technology

Gadzhev emphasized that over the last ten years, the maintenance of the aircraft has been carried out successfully in Poland, and there is currently no critical shortage of spare parts. However, Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov noted that even Poland is beginning to face difficulties with servicing this type of aviation equipment.

Perspectives for the F-16

• Possibility of purchasing second-hand F-16s from Greece.
• Expectations for operational readiness of the new F-16s by 2028.
• Refutation of rumors regarding delays in American deliveries.

According to Gadzhev, Bulgaria should not seek options for new deliveries of MiG-29s, but rather focus on the transition to the F-16, with the possibility of purchasing second-hand aircraft remaining open, provided there is political will.