Poland To Repair Bulgarian Mig-29 Fighter Aircraft

Poland has signed a contract with Bulgaria for repairing Russian-made Mikoyan MiG-29 aircraft in service with the Bulgarian Air Force.

The contract envisages the repair of six engines and temporary use of two Polish-made engines for two years. The repair of each of the engines will cost 1.023 million [$1.13 million], transport expenses will be paid by the Polish side, Tass Defense reported today.

Bugaria considers Poland as the only country that can maintain and repair the MiG-29 aircraft.  The document was signed by Polish Defense Minister Tomasz Siemoniak and Bulgarian Defense Minister Nikolay Nenchev in Warsaw.

It was reported earlier that the Bulgarian government had approved signing an intergovernmental contract with Poland for repairing the Russian-made MiG-29 aircraft.

In 2016, Poland will repair the engines and other equipment of six MiG-29 aircraft operational in the Bulgarian Air Force.

Russia’s MIG Aircraft-Manufacturing Corporation CEO Sergei Korotkov informed Bulgaria in an official letter that the Bulgarian MiG fighters couldn’t be repaired in Poland. "Russian side has not granted Poland the license and the relevant technical documents for repairing the aircraft’s engines." Korotkov said.

According to data of the US Military Balance journal, the Bulgarian Air Force operates 12 MiG-29A (Fulcrum-A) fighters and four MiG-29UB (Fulcrum-B) combat trainers.