site.btaDefence Minister Zapryanov: Bulgaria Will Keep Supporting Ukraine, First F-16 Fighters Expected in April

Bulgaria's newly elected Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told bTV here on Sunday evening that Bulgaria will keep supporting Ukraine and that the first F-16 fighters purchased from the US are expected in April. 

Support for Ukraine

"We will continue to support Ukraine as we have done so far," Zapryanov said. "What we have done is based on the decisions of the National Assembly of 2022 and 2023. I can categorically state that all the military-technical assistance corresponds to the decision of the National Assembly," Minister Zapryanov said.

New Cabinet

He pointed out that with the formation of the new regular government has put an end to the political crisis in this country. "Internationally speaking, we look like a stable country where there is political power with a long-term horizon," the Defence Minister said.

"With this Government Bulgaria can defend its interests much better in the formats in which it participates - NATO, the European Union, the UN and all others," he said.  

 "The team I have worked with so far is entirely professional and made up of experts. We have no politically engaged individuals. As is the agreement of the political forces from the coalition, political cabinets will be formed and there will be representation of the political forces that support the Government. The Joint Governance Council will discuss every nomination for the appointment of deputy ministers and the composition of the political cabinets," Atanas Zapryanov further commented.

F-16 fighters

Minister Zapryanov said that the first two F-16 fighters, which this country is purchasing from the US, will arrive in April and on January 31 he will visit the Lockheed Martin factory in Greenville, South Carolina.  

There are two certified pilots, and with the arrival of the first two aircraft, they are expected to be five, Zapryanov said. By the end of the year, the number of certified pilots is expected to be nine.