site.btaItalian Jets Arrive in Bulgaria for Joint Air Policing

Brussels, July 7 (BTA correspondent Nikolay Jeliazkov) - Italian Eurofighter jets are joining Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets on July 7 for joint air policing of Allied airspace over Bulgaria, NATO said. Part of NATO's enhanced air policing measures, the mission will last until October.

In addition to ensuring the safety of Bulgaria's skies, the joint patrols will improve the ability of Bulgarian and Italian pilots to work together. The mission is also a demonstration of Allied solidarity.

Allied aircraft regularly patrol NATO's airspace together. In the summer of 2016, for instance, American F-15 fighter jets joined the Bulgarian Airforce for a similar mission, NATO said.