MOSCOW (Sputnik) — According to The Sofia Globe, the additional funding would create necessary conditions to maintain and develop the capabilities of the Bulgarian Air Force, ensure air sovereignty, implement mechanisms of NATO's collective defense policy and the EU common security and defense policy.
In March, the Bulgarian government approved a 2.4 billion levs ($1.3bln) plan to improve the state's defense capabilities.
In October, the Defense Ministry said it would hold direct talks with Sofia-based Aviostart company on the delivery of 10 aircraft engines for MiG-29s for a total price of 30 million levs ($16.68mln).
According to EU Defense Information, there are 20 MiG-29 fighter aircraft in service of the Bulgarian Air Force.