Bulgarian MiG-29 'Fulcrum' combat aircraft may in future be serviced and maintained in Poland rather than Russia, national media disclosed on 23 January.
 |
| Bulgaria May Switch MiG Support From Russia To Poland. |
The Bulgarian Air Force's (BuAF's) 12 remaining MiG-29 'Fulcrum-A' fighters and three 'Fulcrum-B' operational trainers could be sustained in Poland due to the rising costs of having the work done in Russia, The Sofia Globe publication reported.
According to the report, the support deal signed with Russia in 2006 was valued at USD48 million (this included one additional trainer aircraft which has since crashed), but Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev has said that the increasing number of Russian intermediary companies has driven up costs significantly.
The current MiG-29 maintenance contract with Russia expires in September 2015, Nenchev reportedly said, adding that Bulgaria is now negotiating with Poland, which is offering a good price for the work.
Having acquired its MiG-29s in 1988, the BuAF is considering its options for a replacement. Dependent on budgets, the procurement of a second-hand Western type would appear to be the most likely option, with surplus Block 25 F-16s from US Air National Guard stocks, or F-16 mid-life upgrade from Belgium, early tranche Eurofighter Typhoons from the Italian Air Force, or surplus Saab Gripens from Sweden being touted as possible options.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Use your freedom with responsibility