Ukrainian experts are in Bulgaria to exlore capabilities for repair of military equipment

The first F-16 Block 70 fighter jets will arrive in 2025, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, who took part in a forum of the Atlantic Club, told BNT on May 11.

Deputy Defence Minister Yordan Bozhilov said that Ukrainian military experts are in Bulgaria to explore the capabilities of the country’s military-industrial complex to repair weapons and equipment. In a video-conference, former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko urged NATO member states to admit his country to the alliance at the Madrid summit in June.

Strengthening defence capabilities on NATO's eastern flank, increasing the compatibility of armed forces within the Alliance and continuing assistance to Ukraine were the main topics of the forum organised by the Atlantic Club.

The war in Ukraine is shaping up to be a very protracted conflict, which is destabilising not only the region, but will also have a global impact, Deputy Defence Minister Yordan Bozhilov said.

He said Parliament's decision to provide military-technical assistance to Ukraine was already being implemented.

A group of Ukrainian specialists is already in Bulgaria, holding talks on the possibilities, especially of our military repair plants, to repair Ukrainian equipment.

Bulgaria has facilities for the repair and maintenance of armoured vehicles and various types of armaments. These are mainly the TEREM plants. The largest plant for the repair of armoured vehicles is TEREM - Targovishte.

There is now also clarity on when the US will deliver the new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets to us, the defence chief said.

What is known so far is that the first delivery will come in 2025. We are working on several options for the maintenance of the MiG-29, possibly how to cover a period when we will have problems in carrying air policing on our own, but I am optimistic that we will find a solution, explained Admiral Emil Eftimov, Chief of Defence.

Work is also done on the project to acquire second-hand diesel-electric submarines from Italy.

National security expert Velizar Shalamanov pointed out that it is important for Bulgaria to be part of a multinational force and host these formations, and to work with the EU to develop a military-industrial complex.

Petro Poroshenko, the 2014-2019 President of Ukraine, made the appeal to Bulgaria in a videoconference during the Atlantic Club forum.

I call on Bulgaria to join the gas and oil embargo against Russia because this is the shortest path to our victory. Ukraine has become a stronghold on NATO's eastern flank and our army has proven its effectiveness by NATO standards. That is why we must be in the North Atlantic Alliance, which guarantees peace, said Petro Poroshenko-President of Ukraine (2014-2019).

Atlantic Club President Solomon Passi presented the Ukrainian Embassy with a donation bill with funds raised for the purchase of arms.

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