The NATO missile defense duty has been increased to the highest level and the readiness of the air defense (ADF) and missile defense (MDR) systems of the countries on the Eastern Flank has been increased. This was stated by the acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov to journalists, who attended the solemn celebration of the 75th anniversary of the Third Graf Ignatievo Air Base. NATO is not part of the US and Israeli operation against Iran and the member states from the Eastern flank are not participating in this operation, Zapryanov stressed.
The minister recalled that Greece has re-based a “Patriot” battery, which allows it to cover Bulgarian airspace. Zapryanov commented that the Air Policing duty, which is carried out by the Graf Ignatievo air base, is integrated into the common NATO air defense and missile defense system and contributes to the air defense of the Eastern flank of the Alliance. Separate elements of the anti-aircraft missile forces have been placed on a higher level of readiness and duty together with Greece, Turkey and Romania, he said.
Atanas Zapryanov pointed out that NATO’s activities to train troops and strengthen defense continue and very soon planned exercises, including aviation ones, will be held in Bulgaria.