Bulgarian opposition slams plan to buy Polish MiG-29 fighter jets
Photo: Bulgaria has yet to decide whether it really needs Poland's MiG-29 fighter jets (Getty Images)
Bulgaria's parliamentary opposition has criticized Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov over plans to purchase MiG-29 fighter jets and spare parts from Poland, BTA reports.
Ivaylo Mirchev, a lawmaker from the Democratic Bulgaria coalition, voiced the criticism. He argued that Bulgaria should invest in modern NATO-standard aircraft rather than Soviet-designed MiG-29s.
"At a time when Bulgaria should be rearming with Western and NATO equipment, it emerged that we had requested to buy Polish MiG-29s," Mirchev said.
He added that Bulgaria should not become a "graveyard for Soviet aircraft" and noted that NATO members are already moving away from MiG-29s.
The youth organization of the Yes, Bulgaria party also joined the criticism. As a protest, its members parked an old Moskvich car outside the Ministry of Defense.
Yes, Bulgaria representative Todor Petrov accused the defense minister of making poorly justified decisions. He also said Bulgaria should not become a "scrapyard" for outdated Russian military equipment.
"Instead of turning Bulgaria into a Porsche, he is turning the country and the Bulgarian Armed Forces into a Moskvich," Petrov said.
Ukraine has long been seeking to reach an agreement with Poland on the transfer of MiG-29 fighter jets to the Ukrainian Air Force. However, it recently emerged that the Bulgarian government is also interested in acquiring the aircraft.
Earlier, Polish officials revealed a new Ukrainian proposal regarding the MiG-29s.
It also became known that Warsaw had considered scrapping its MiG-29 fleet instead of transferring the aircraft to Kyiv.
Amid the latest developments, Ukrainian authorities confirmed they remain ready to continue negotiations with Poland over the possible transfer of the MiG-29 fighters.
