Bulgaria's President: New F-16 Infrastructure at Graf Ignatievo Needs Further Investment and Aircraft Additions

Bulgarian President Iliana Yotova visited the 3rd Air Base at Graf Ignatievo, where she reviewed the modernization efforts connected with the arrival of Bulgaria’s new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. The visit was carried out in her capacity as president and Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, together with Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov and Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev.

During the inspection, Yotova met with the leadership and personnel of the airbase and was briefed on the newly built infrastructure designed to support the operation of the F-16 aircraft. She also reviewed the flight crew training simulator developed as part of the modernization program.

Following discussions with the command of Graf Ignatievo airbase and the Air Force leadership, Yotova described the talks as open and direct.

“We had an extremely frank conversation with the management of the Graf Ignatievo airbase and with the Commander of the Air Force, Major General Nikolay Rusev,” the president told journalists.

Yotova said efforts are being made to provide the necessary conditions for the base and its personnel to operate effectively. She expressed hope that the required funding would be included in Bulgaria’s next regular state budget for 2027.

“We are doing everything possible and I hope that from the next regular budget for 2027, what is needed as a minimum will be delivered to the Graf Ignatievo airbase so that the people on whom our security largely depends can work,” she said.

The president stressed that Bulgaria needs additional aircraft and further investment in its military aviation capabilities. According to her, future decisions should be based on military-technical assessments of the country’s needs and available financial resources.

“New additions with new aircraft are needed. According to the military-technical expertise, what Bulgaria needs and our financial capabilities, I believe that decisions will be made as soon as possible,” Yotova stated.

During her visit, the president also addressed the US request to deploy up to eight tanker aircraft at Bulgaria’s Bezmer airbase. She said that such a deployment would not mean Bulgaria is becoming involved in military operations related to Iran.

“The presence of tanker planes at the Bezmer airbase does not make us part of the military operations in Iran,” Yotova said.

She reiterated that the proposal must be approved by the National Assembly, as required by Bulgarian law, and said the government is currently following the necessary procedure.

Yotova also expressed hope that tensions in the region would decrease and that hostilities would not expand.

“I hope that there will be a ceasefire again soon, that the conflict will not escalate and that the hostilities will not expand,” she said.

The president added that, based on the information available to her, the tanker aircraft would not conduct operations in Bulgarian airspace. She said she would wait for the parliamentary discussion before making further conclusions about the request.