The Bulgarian Government is likely to cancel orders for three military helicopters and two transport aircraft from France’s Eurocopter and Italy’s Alenia Aeronautica in a bid to cut costs.

Defense Minister Anyu Angelov told AFP that talks were underway to cancel orders for 12 Cougar AS352 choppers for the air force.

Bulgaria is also planning to reduce its €91m order for five C-27J Spartan transport from Alenia Aeronautica.

“With Alenia Aeronautica, we want to refuse the fourth and fifth aircraft on the contract and pay only for the third Spartan plane,” Angelov said.