We are doing our best to keep the MiG-29 on duty until 2023.

We wear duty and will do so until our last day.

Once we lose abilities, recovery is difficult."

This was stated by Gen.

Nikolay Rusev, commander of the "Graf Ignatievo" airbase in "This Saturday" on bTV. 

"We're not talking about the Gripen."

We're talking about a replacement fighter.

We have no answer for second hand F-16 fighter jet from USA and Israel.

We don't have time to wait.

France, Italy and Sweden were therefore asked.

Sweden and France responded," he added. 

According to him, it is possible to fly any other European fighter and added that replacement fighters are currently needed.

Many countries around us operate several types of fighter jets - in Greece there are four types.

Belgium, Denmark and the Netherlands maintain aviation and duty.

We're on the front line, and we're trying to say that we don't have to be on duty - someone else does it for us.

We are NATO, we must protect.

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Bulgaria has a fighter aviation with traditions, we are obliged to continue them.

If someone wants to bear the political responsibility, let them do it", said the commander of "Graf Ignatievo" categorically and specified that every fighter is compatible with the F-16.

"It smells like an aviation purge.

All those who served the Russian equipment should be released, so that those who will operate the F-16 remain.

This is indecent behavior.

They can get on with the effort, we'll look down on them - it's frivolous.

Everyone can handle American equipment," Rusev emphasized.

Three types of equipment are operated at the "Graf Ignatievo" air base, added Ludmil Valkov, Deputy Commander of Aviation Equipment and Armament at the air base.

"Currently, the resource we have is limited.

The tools we can use to manage it are limited.

If the MiG-29 engine repair contract goes through, it will help duty in 2023, but not beyond.

It is not known how long Poland will help with the maintenance of the planes," he added.

fighter jets

aviation