Bulgarian defence ministry says the Netherlands is only offering to train Bulgarian pilots despite media reports the Hague was considering transferring F-16 aircrafts to NATO allies in Eastern Europe if they agreed to provide their MiG-29s to Ukraine.
Last week, EW Magazine first reported about the possible deal. However, acting Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov denies that such an exchange is possible at this stage, he told journalists in Brussels, where he participated in a meeting of EU defence ministers.
“Back in June, information was requested by letter from the Dutch side whether F-16 aircraft could be provided to us. The answer then was that there was no such possibility and there was no way that fighters would be provided. Yes, I had a meeting with the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands. What they express at the moment as readiness is to help with the training of our pilots for the F-16”, commented Stoyanov.
According to him, the soviet aircrafts will remain in service in Bulgaria until the end of 2023, even if it manages to repair its outdated Bulgarian MiG-29s currently in Poland.
The first new F-16 fighter jets are expected in Bulgaria in 2025, leaving a period of two years with no air defence.
On November 3, the Bulgarian parliament passed a decision to provide weapons to Ukraine, which provides a legal opportunity to exchange MiG-29s for F-16s.
(Krassen Nikolov | EURACTIV.bg)
Source: euractiv.com
