Bulgaria plans to enhance its air force’s capabilities with a new type of multirole fighter aircraft, equipped and armed in compliance with Nato standards.

The reinforcement of the air force’s capabilities forms part of the ongoing transformation processes within the Bulgarian defence sector aimed at building new capabilities for the armed forces, Bulgarian Defence Minister Anu Anguelov said during a discussion with Swedish defence group Saab.

Bulgaria has sent requests for information (RFI) concerning the investment projects to Nato and EU countries that are leading manufacturers of fighters.

Saab reaffirmed its intent to participate in future multirole fighter acquisition procedures and detailed on the features of the fighter, as well as the accompanying logistic support, training and offset programmes.