The Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 fighters will begin guarding the country's airspace when the pilots are fully prepared and all the necessary equipment under the 2019 contract arrives. This was stated by the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Nikolay Rusev, in an interview with BTA on the occasion of the Aviation and Air Force Day, which is celebrated today - October 16.
"The inclusion of F-16 fighters in airspace security does not entirely depend on us. This will happen when we receive everything necessary under the contract signed in 2019, and when our pilots are ready to take over duty," explained Major General Rusev. He specified that until all the equipment arrives, he cannot guarantee an exact date for the start of combat duty with the F-16.
So far, Bulgaria has received four F-16 Block 70 aircraft - two two-seater and two single-seater. The Air Force Commander expects two more to be delivered in the near future, and a total of eight aircraft by the end of the year. Thus, the first delivery contract will be fully fulfilled by the end of 2025.
Of the four aircraft that have already arrived, only one has been officially accepted. The remaining two are in the acceptance process, which also includes a mandatory flight test with at least one flight of each aircraft.
Bulgaria has six pilots trained to fly the F-16, but only two of them can fly the Bulgarian version of the aircraft - F-16 Block 70. The remaining four flew in the US on an older version of the fighter and need additional flights on the two-seater combat training aircraft to get used to the features of the new model.
The biggest shortage of officers in the Air Force is about 20 percent, Major General Rusev said. However, the desire of young people to serve in the army is growing, especially after the improvement in pay. Since the beginning of this year, military salaries have been calculated based on the average salary for the country.
"The military profession seems quite attractive, but at the same time, many people who do not realistically assess their own capabilities apply for military service and are rejected at the entrance exams. We have standards that we intend to maintain, and we will in no way allow the admission criteria to be lowered," the Air Force commander is categorical.
Major General Rusev stated categorically that there have been no violations of Bulgaria's airspace in the last year. There has been a loss of radio contact with civilian aircraft flying in the country's airspace, but in all cases the connection was restored or the aircraft was intercepted by Bulgarian fighter jets and left the territory without problems.
In early October, the Air Force commander participated in the annual meeting of the air force commanders of NATO member states. The overall command and control system, the rules of action in the event of airspace violations by unmanned aerial vehicles, and measures to facilitate cross-border operations were discussed there.
"This is a serious problem and analyses are currently being conducted. There is no system in place that would protect 100 percent from combat drones," said Major General Rusev. He specified that there are companies that develop defense systems for commercial drones, but this does not solve the problem with military drones.
Bulgaria has anti-aircraft missile systems, fighter aircraft and helicopter aviation, which is being equipped to combat drones. "The question is whether we will respond adequately, since it is one thing to launch a missile for one and a half million dollars against a drone that costs two or three thousand dollars," explained the Air Force commander. The NATO system is actively working on this issue and a balance is expected to be found soon.
The Air Force has Mi-17 and Cougar helicopters equipped with firefighting equipment. There are already trained crews who can use a firefighting system on board the Spartan aircraft. It can be used with certain restrictions – precise aircraft speeds must be maintained and water containers must be dropped from strictly defined heights.
"Next year we will increase the number of helicopters that can participate in firefighting. I hope that next year at least eight helicopters will be able to participate," added Major General Rusev.
October 16 marks the anniversary of the first reconnaissance flight of an aircraft in the history of Bulgarian aviation and in Europe in real combat conditions. In 1912, during the Balkan War, the pilot Lieutenant Radul Milkov and the observer Lieutenant Prodan Tarakchiev flew their "Albatross" over the Edirne Fortress, reconnoitered the location of the reserves and managed to throw two hand grenades over the Karaagach station. This was also the first aerial bombardment over the Old Continent in a real frontline situation.
Today at 09:00, wreaths and flowers were laid at the monument to the pilot in Sofia, and at 10:30 the official celebration began at the Central Military Club with the awarding of personnel and a concert by the Representative Brass Band of the Air Force.