GERB leader Boyko Borisov called on Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov to fire the newly appointed Air Force Chief Major General Nikolay Roussev if he had expressed doubts about the qualities of the new F-16 Block 70 fighter. The first of the eight aircraft, for which Bulgaria paid over 2.2 billion leva, arrived at the Graf Ignatievo airbase on April 2. According to Borisov, President Rumen Radev "whispered under his breath" to journalists that the F-16 that arrived was broken and not flying, which is why Minister Zapryanov should be asked if that is the case. "And do you know what I told Zapryanov? "Today, Rumen Radev's personal Air Force chief, Gen. Rusev, should be fired, if what the president has whispered is true," Borisov said. Before heading the Air Force, Nikolay Rusev was commander of the 3rd Air Force Base in Graf Ignatievo, where he served with Radev. Who can demand Gen. Rusev's dismissal? General Dimitar Shivikov speaks to FAKTI.
- General Shivikov, can, in your opinion, a military aircraft fly from the USA to Bulgaria if it is damaged?
- Absolutely - no. Not only military aircraft, but any type of aircraft or helicopter is not allowed to fly if a given component, unit, node, system or software problem indicates a deviation from standards. This is a mandatory and basic principle in aviation in general everywhere in the world. Another point is that if during a flight some problem arises that does not threaten the completion of the flight, and at that moment the plane is flying over a water surface and there is no possibility of landing. Then the pilot - after coordination with the control tower, can continue the flight to the first possible landing airport. I will immediately give an example of our medical helicopter, which some time ago during a flight to evacuate a victim, a certain unit showed a defect and the crew's action was to immediately land the machine. Then, after they had made an on-site inspection, the crew decided to return to the site for permanent location by air. So it is not excluded that during the last stage of the flight, I repeat the last stage, before landing at the 3rd airbase "Graf Ignatiev"; some of the systems of the F-16 aircraft showed a discrepancy in the parameters and standards. I fully believe the expert opinion of the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Rusev, who stated that it is permissible and normal for such a thing to happen with a new aircraft. He also categorically announced that this was established jointly with the US representatives and that until the problem is eliminated, the aircraft will not fly. There is no conspiracy here and no nonsense, which is being spread by absolute laymen in the field of aviation, but otherwise infinitely devoted to Euro-Atlanticism.
- The new acquisition of the Bulgarian Air Force - F-16 Block 70, became an occasion for an exchange of extremely sharp remarks between the leader of GERB Boyko Borisov and President Rumen Radev. Who wants to tell us what...
- I think that the rude and vulgar language was on the part of Boyko Borisov. He attacked both the President and Major General Rusev with his vulgar style and made unacceptable and false suggestions that they were both to blame for the temporary problem with the plane. He even smugly stated that he had ordered Minister Atanasa Zapryanov to immediately fire General Rusev after he bought a "broken" plane. How could Borisov order Zapryanov!? President Radev quite naturally and with reason directed journalists to Zapryanov to ask him questions about the plane. President Radev has proven himself to be an air ace, knowing to the core what a combat plane is and using absolute facts he justified that the plane has good combat and aviation capabilities, but is complex and expensive to maintain, requires specific ground infrastructure that is expensive to build and subsequently maintain, so that politicians, such as Borisov, would allocate the necessary financial resources. The responsibility lies solely with the politicians, because they ignored the expert-technical and military recommendation of their Air Force colleagues when the bids for the acquisition of a new combat aircraft were ranked more than 6 years ago.
- What is Major General Rusev guilty of, who said that a system on the aircraft gives an error, and this is the reason why it is not being used for the time being…
- General Rusev is not at fault. But not only he, but all colleagues from the Air Force are not at fault. There is no commander in the Bulgarian Army who would compromise with the life and health of his subordinates. And for this reason I felt anger against Borisov's hate speech towards President Radev and General Rusev. Who gives Borisov the right to tarnish the honor and epaulette of the Bulgarian officer? I think that in the answer to your first question I justified that there is no one hundred percent guarantee that something unforeseen will not happen. However, the following fact is disturbing. In their effort to supposedly reduce the unreasonably high price for this aircraft model, the persons who negotiated the details under the agreement consciously gave up certain necessary spare parts. These persons are from our political elite. Why do I say this? Because in his statement, General Rusev says that it will take an indefinite amount of time to fix the problem – simply the necessary element is not included in the delivery.
- You have already mentioned it, but how do you view the fact that Boyko Borisov was extremely harsh and called on the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov to dismiss General Rusev. Is that how it is done - with statements to journalists...
- I am personally outraged by Borisov's behavior and statement, because this is already crossing all limits. I have already answered this question. But... A characteristic feature of the Bulgarian politician is that he is never wrong, he is always right, he is unique and irreplaceable, but most importantly - he never resigns. The problem with Borisov is systemic, because he easily insults any representatives of our society - even the entire Bulgarian people, but no one holds him accountable. On the contrary, there are even supporters who admire his behavior.
- Where is the dignity of Bulgarian generals if we replace them at will…
- I must admit - with pain in my heart and soul I will answer the question. Unfortunately, the dignity of Bulgarian generals has faded in their desire to keep their posts. In my opinion, the Chief of Defense, together with the commanders of the other types of military forces, should have made an official statement and given a signal that a Bulgarian general cannot be insulted so unprincipledly and unfoundedly.
- In your opinion, should Major General Nikolay Rusev defend himself and how? He is still a military man, and things there are synchronized with the ministry…
- General Rusev defended himself with the facts and circumstances regarding the situation that arose with the plane. He made it clear what it means to be responsible, and in a categorical manner. Zapryanov's behavior is unacceptable, after all, he is a former general and of the old Soviet school, but he did not side with his commander.
- We are constantly increasing the budget of the Ministry of Defense, but is there any effect and what is the effect of this. How capable is the Bulgarian army?
- The effect will not be felt immediately. This is a long-term and complex process. It requires expertise, and from professionals. They should have the greatest weight in making strategic decisions, and politicians should support them. Unfortunately, this is not the case in our reality. Voluntary decisions are made by people who have not held a real weapon in their hands, have not seen a soldier in a barracks and have not eaten at least one soup with him. Building, providing, training and maintaining a combat-ready army is not a "spoon" for every mouth. I deliberately use such an expression to show that one cannot approach the issues of the Bulgarian army irresponsibly. I categorically state that wonderful, motivated, enthusiastic and always ready to defend their HOMELAND Bulgarian soldiers serve in our army. The people must believe and support the army, because our daughters and sons serve in it.
- You also suffered a lot of blows as a soldier from the political system in our country. How do you view the events now, as a person outside the system of the Ministry of Defense?
- More than 30 years of my conscious life have passed in the Bulgarian army and it is quite natural for me to follow what and how is happening in it. I accept the positive things with joy and pride, but with pain and implacability I comment on and empathize with the injustices that are being inflicted on our army. My rage also comes from the fact that the greatest evils and negative consequences on the army were inflicted by individuals, former officers, who were appointed ministers.