Restrictions on the Guardian fire system with “Spartan,” noted by the Ministry of Defense

Numerous limitations in preparing to use Guardian

"Numerous restrictions have been defined in preparing for the ‘Guardian Fire Container Airdrop’ mission with Spartan aircraft." This was clarified by Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov in response to a question about the use of the Guardian system, published on the National Assembly website.

According to the minister, the preparation for working with Guardian containers was carried out on a simulator at "LEONARDO S.p.A Aircraft Division" in Italy, at Vrazhdebna Air Base, and through training flights at Cheshnegirovo airport. "The Air Force (AF) has analyzed and evaluated the results of the training for the ‘Guardian Fire Container Airdrop’ mission with Spartan aircraft, during which numerous restrictions and safety-related issues with flights were defined," Zapryanov further noted.

Insufficient preparation and lack of established procedures

The minister noted: "Crews prepared and authorized for the ‘Air Cargo Airdrop with Containers—Combat/Container Delivery System (C.D.S.)’ mission are allowed to participate in fire missions with Guardian container airdrops. Despite the insistence of BBC, ‘LEONARDO S.p.A Aircraft Division’ missed a stage of preparation—namely, the airdrop of light and medium cargo containers."

"The 'LEONARDO S.p.A Aircraft Division' flight training program was conducted with a mixed crew and did not include a flight only with a Bulgarian crew for Guardian container airdrops."

Absence of established techniques and risk level

"As of August 1, 2025, the two pilots certified on June 22, 2023, for Guardian container airdrops have not met the conditions for performing the task of air cargo airdrop as a crew. Crews who are familiar with established techniques, tactics, and procedures (TTP) for aerial fire extinguishing with Guardian containers and for whom Safety Rules and measures have been drawn up will be admitted to the actual execution of the mission. Such procedures are not available, and as of August 1, 2025, the Air Force has not received information about any initiative from the General Directorate 'Fire Safety and Population Protection.' Using the Guardian system without established TTP will lead to exponential reduction in effectiveness, increased risk, and dangerously reduced safety levels," the minister explained.

Preparation, training sessions, and planned actions

"Preparations are underway for designated crews from Vrazhdebna Air Base for airdropping containers from the air. Upon meeting the conditions and gaining necessary experience, part of them are planned to start training for Guardian container airdrops. Regular simulator training sessions are also planned, such as those available to the Romanian Air Force."

"Real task execution will be carried out after full preparation is completed and a detailed risk assessment is made."

Guardian system — cost and fleet modernization

"The Guardian fire extinguishing system was obtained as a result of the contract for the purchase of Spartan aircraft, with a cost of €6.7 million," Zapryanov clarified.

At the end of July, Deputy Air Force Commander Dimitar Georgiev stated: "The system is used with many restrictions and at the verge of the operational characteristics of the Spartan aircraft. We have proposed acquiring two to three new Spartan aircraft, at a cost of about €75 million per aircraft, including a fire extinguishing system. A new-generation Spartan aircraft provides for the use of a fire module that can be installed on the aircraft and, in about 90 minutes, the aircraft can be loaded and drop up to eight tons of water."