Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova visited the 3rd Graf Ignatievo Air Base, where she reviewed the modernization efforts related to the arrival of Bulgariait’s new F-16 Block 70 fighter planes. The visit was carried out in her capacity as President and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, accompanied by Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Air Force Commander Major General Nikolai Rusev.
During the inspection, Yotova met with air base leadership and staff and was briefed on the new infrastructure designed to support the operation of the F-16 aircraft. She also reviewed the flight crew training simulator developed as part of the modernization program.
Following discussions with the command of the Graf Ignatievo air base and the leadership of the Air Force, Yotova described the talks as open and direct.
“We had an extremely frank conversation with the leadership of the Graf Ignatievo Air Base and with the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Nikolay Rusev,“, the president told reporters.
Yotova efforts are being made to provide the necessary conditions for the effective functioning of the base and its personnel. She expressed hope that the required funding would be included Bulgarianext ordinary state budget for 2027.
“We are doing everything possible and I hope that from the next regular budget for 2027 the minimum necessary will be delivered to the Graf Ignatievo air base so that the people on whom our security largely depends can work,she said.
The president emphasized that Bulgaria needs additional aircraft and additional investment in its military aviation capabilities. According to her, future decisions should be based on military-technical assessments of the country’s needs and available financial resources.
“New additions with new planes are needed. According to military-technical expertise, what is Bulgaria needs and our financial capacities, I believe that decisions will be made as soon as possible,” Yotova declared.
During her visit, the president also addressed the U.S. request to deploy up to eight tanker aircraft to BulgariaBezmer Air Base. She said such a deployment would not mean Bulgaria becomes involved in military operations linked to Iran.
“The presence of tanker aircraft at the Bezmer air base does not make us participate in military operations in Iran,” Yotova said.
She reiterated that the proposal must be approved by the National Assembly, as required by Bulgarian law, and said the government was currently following the necessary procedure.
Yotova also expressed hope that tensions in the region would decrease and hostilities would not escalate.
“I hope that there will soon be a ceasefire again, that the conflict will not intensify and hostilities will not spread,she said.
The President added that, according to the information available to her, the tanker aircraft would not carry out operations in Bulgarian airspace. She said she would wait for the parliamentary debate before drawing further conclusions on the request.
Source: Novinite
