Bulgaria: Defense Committee Approves Deployment of 8 US Tanker Aircraft at Bezmer Base

Bulgaria’s Parliamentary Defense Committee approved the government’s proposal to allow the temporary deployment of up to eight US military tanker aircraft and 250 American service members at the Bezmer airbase. The decision was backed by 11 members of the committee, while one voted against and two abstained.

The proposal will now be submitted for a vote in the National Assembly’s plenary hall. It was introduced by Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, following a request from the United States for the stationing of KC-135 tanker aircraft, military personnel with personal weapons and ammunition, and the necessary aviation equipment at Bezmer from July 24 until October 1, 2026.

Unlike the previous deployment of US aircraft at Sofia’s civilian airport, the current request is officially linked to supporting American operations in the Middle East. The government has argued that parliamentary approval is required due to public concerns raised after the earlier deployment.

Stoyanov said he would travel to the Yambol region on Friday to meet with local mayors and discuss the issue directly with representatives from the communities surrounding the Bezmer military airbase.

"I am ready to talk with all the mayors from the region where the Bezmer military airport is located," the defense minister said, adding that the decision by parliament aims to address concerns among local residents.

According to Stoyanov, an assessment by military intelligence identified certain risks related to the deployment, but found no direct threat to Bulgaria’s national security.

"There are always risks in principle, but there is no direct threat to our national security," he reiterated during the committee discussions.

The Defense Committee rejected a proposal by MP Ivaylo Mirchev from Democratic Bulgaria to hear the director of the Military Information Service, Brigadier General Venelin Venev, in a closed session.

During the committee meeting, protests were held outside the National Assembly building. Around 15 people gathered near one of the parliament entrances, chanting "We do not want war." Chairman of the Progressive Bulgaria parliamentary group Petar Vitanov came out to speak with the demonstrators.

The planned deployment also triggered political debate among lawmakers. GERB representatives argued that the current request differs from the previous deployment, which they said was presented as being connected to exercises, while the new request concerns support for a military operation.

"The first note is for increased front presence and exercises. You either have to say that the partners are lying, misleading, manipulating, or admit that the situation is different now. You are asking for permission to participate in a military operation," GERB MP Georg Georgiev said.

Stoyanov rejected the criticism, saying military exercises require long-term preparation and formal planning procedures.

"Exercises are not organized ad hoc like that, from one day to the next. There should be planning conferences. Such planning conferences have not been held," he said.

The minister also disputed claims that the previous deployment of US aircraft at Sofia Airport was connected to exercises.

"There were neither exercises nor anything else. If there were exercises, I want to ask my colleagues from GERB, PP, DB and all other parliamentary parties what exercises they participated in, what missions were conducted, who was the head of the exercises and when the planning conferences were held," Stoyanov said.

Members of PP, Democratic Bulgaria and Revival raised questions about possible risks for Bulgaria. MP Ivaylo Mirchev asked whether the deployment could represent Bulgaria’s involvement in a war, while Stoyanov responded that the government had not made such a claim.

"Someone from Progressive Bulgaria said that it was involvement in a war. I did not say that," the defense minister said.

PP MP Radoslav Ribarski questioned whether the deployment could make Bulgaria a legitimate military target. Stoyanov rejected that possibility, saying Bulgaria would not participate in the operation with troops or military capabilities.

"Bulgaria is not participating in the operation with either forces or means. A few months ago, we were not a target because of the deployment of the aircraft at Vasil Levski Airport," he said.

Revival MP Ivelin Parvanov argued that the country hosting the aircraft could be viewed as a target by those opposing the US operation. Stoyanov again insisted that military assessments had found no direct threat.

DPS representative Ivo Tsanev supported the deployment, saying Bulgaria should act as a reliable NATO ally.

"It is high time that our country is where it belongs, in NATO as a predictable ally," Tsanev said.

Stoyanov also explained that Bezmer airbase is part of facilities designated for joint use under the defense cooperation agreement between Bulgaria and the United States. He added that there is still no final decision on how the aircraft will be refueled during their stay.