Bulgaria Turns to MiG-29 Spare Parts, Rules Out Used F-16, Gripen Jets

Jerusalem, 27 August, 2026 (TPS-IL) -- Sofia (BTA) – Bulgaria has no option to acquire second-hand Gripen or F-16 aircraft, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told a briefing on Thursday after a Council of Ministers meeting.

According to Stoyanov, the only remaining option is to purchase spare parts and provide maintenance for the MiG-29 aircraft.

On Wednesday, Stoyanov said that Bulgaria is seeking spare parts for its MiG-29 fighter aircraft and exploring options to acquire used F-16 or JAS 39 Gripen aircraft. At a meeting of the Defence Committee in Parliament, Stoyanov rejected claims that the F-16 aircraft already delivered to Bulgaria could perform combat duty. He said one of the main obstacles was aircrew training.

The Defence Ministry said that it had sent inquiries to Poland, Hungary and several other countries about available MiG-29 aircraft and spare parts. Stoyanov said Bulgaria was interested in MiG-29s solely as a source of spare parts and did not intend to buy them for operational use or form another squadron.