Bulgaria requests military aircraft and air defence systems from NATO

“We have sent letters and a request to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, seeking to strengthen the country’s defence capabilities”, Minister of Defence Dimitar Stoyanov told reporters in Sofia during a ceremony marking the Bulgarian Air Force’s holiday, the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) reported.

“We have requested aircraft, surface-to-air missile systems, anti-drone systems and patrol aircraft. In other words, we have requested the full range of capabilities”, Minister Stoyanov explained.

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''At the very least, the aim is also to demonstrate strength on our territory and in our territorial waters''. Dimitar Stoyanov said there was still no confirmation of what specific assistance Bulgaria would receive. He added that Romania and the Baltic states had similar needs.

According to the minister, security in the Black Sea cannot be fully guaranteed, even with allied forces and military assets deployed in the region.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov

Translated by Kostadin Atanasov