Poland remains key to maintaining Bulgaria’s MiG-29 fleet, PM Radev says

Bulgaria will continue to rely on Poland to maintain its MiG-29 fighter jets and is seeking closer cooperation on the operation of its F-16s, Prime Minister Rumen Radev said after talks with his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk in Warsaw. “Poland’s help is our only option for keeping the MiG-29s operational,” Radev said.

The two prime ministers also discussed energy, infrastructure and security. Rumen Radev described cooperation in the defence industry, high technology, space and industries of the future as particularly promising.

Trade between Bulgaria and Poland now exceeds €3 billion, while Polish investment in Bulgaria stands at more than €650 million. Nearly 500,000 Polish tourists visited Bulgaria in 2025, Radev said.

Radev said the two countries could also share experience on nuclear energy projects using AP1000 technology. He said a strong economy required good transport links and reliable, secure and affordable energy, noting that Poland and Bulgaria serve as gateways for US liquefied natural gas to Central and Eastern Europe – Poland from the north and Bulgaria from the south, BTA reported.

Editor: Miglena Ivanova