site.btaMinistry of Defence: Greek Air Force May Carry Out Tasks on Bulgarian Airspace Protection

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) provided the media with information regarding a publication in Greek newspaper "Kathimerini", claiming that Bulgaria has requested Greek aircraft to guard the skies. The MoD statement said: 

"NATO airspace protection is a peacetime collective defence mission designed to ensure the integrity and security of the airspace of NATO allies. In this context, and in accordance with the decisions taken to ensure the security of NATO's eastern flank, it is possible that the Greek Air Force may perform tasks to reinforce the protection of the airspace of the Republic of Bulgaria during a further specified period of time. In accordance with the established process for the distribution of Alliance security efforts, each Member State shall voluntarily determine its contribution to the implementation of the Alliance's enhanced vigilance measures. At the same time, the Bulgarian Air Force will continue to fulfil its national commitments to be on standby in the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System /NATINAMDS/ and to protect national and Allied airspace. 

If necessary, the tasks of the Greek Air Force will be performed from airfields within the territory of the Hellenic Republic. 

The joint execution of these tasks by the Bulgarian and Greek Air Forces will enhance the ability of Bulgarian combat aviation to act in an integrated manner with allied forces and to conduct bilateral cross-border operations, within the scope of the existing inter-state agreements, the release concludes."