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<li id="toc-Early_years" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Early_years"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.1</span> <span>Early years</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Early_years-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-First_and_Second_Balkan_Wars" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#First_and_Second_Balkan_Wars"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.2</span> <span>First and Second Balkan Wars</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-First_and_Second_Balkan_Wars-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-World_War_I_(1914–1918)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#World_War_I_(1914–1918)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3</span> <span>World War I (1914–1918)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-World_War_I_(1914–1918)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Army_air_action" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Army_air_action"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3.1</span> <span>Army air action</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Army_air_action-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Captured_Allied_aircraft" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-4"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Captured_Allied_aircraft"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3.1.1</span> <span>Captured Allied aircraft</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Captured_Allied_aircraft-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Naval_air_action" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Naval_air_action"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.3.2</span> <span>Naval air action</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Naval_air_action-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Destruction_and_survival_under_the_peace_treaty_(1919–1936)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Destruction_and_survival_under_the_peace_treaty_(1919–1936)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.4</span> <span>Destruction and survival under the peace treaty (1919–1936)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Destruction_and_survival_under_the_peace_treaty_(1919–1936)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Years_of_Rebirth_(1937–1939)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Years_of_Rebirth_(1937–1939)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.5</span> <span>Years of Rebirth (1937–1939)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Years_of_Rebirth_(1937–1939)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-World_War_II_(1939–1945)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#World_War_II_(1939–1945)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.6</span> <span>World War II (1939–1945)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-World_War_II_(1939–1945)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Reestablishment_under_the_Communist_government" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Reestablishment_under_the_Communist_government"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.7</span> <span>Reestablishment under the Communist government</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Reestablishment_under_the_Communist_government-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-After_the_Cold_War_(1989–2004)" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#After_the_Cold_War_(1989–2004)"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.8</span> <span>After the Cold War (1989–2004)</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-After_the_Cold_War_(1989–2004)-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Twenty-first_century" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Twenty-first_century"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">1.9</span> <span>Twenty-first century</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Twenty-first_century-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Structure" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Structure"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2</span> <span>Structure</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Structure-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Structure subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Structure-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Air_bases" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Air_bases"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1</span> <span>Air bases</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Air_bases-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Active" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Active"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.1</span> <span>Active</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Active-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Closed" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-3"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Closed"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">2.1.2</span> <span>Closed</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Closed-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Aircraft" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Aircraft"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3</span> <span>Aircraft</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Aircraft-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Aircraft subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Aircraft-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Current_inventory" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Current_inventory"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">3.1</span> <span>Current inventory</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Current_inventory-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Future" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Future"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">4</span> <span>Future</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Future-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Ranks" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Ranks"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5</span> <span>Ranks</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-Ranks-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle Ranks subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-Ranks-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Commissioned_officers" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Commissioned_officers"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5.1</span> <span>Commissioned officers</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Commissioned_officers-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-Other_ranks" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Other_ranks"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">5.2</span> <span>Other ranks</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Other_ranks-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-See_also" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#See_also"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">6</span> <span>See also</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-See_also-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-References" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#References"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7</span> <span>References</span> </div> </a> <button aria-controls="toc-References-sublist" class="cdx-button cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--icon-only vector-toc-toggle"> <span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-expand"></span> <span>Toggle References subsection</span> </button> <ul id="toc-References-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> <li id="toc-Bibliography" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-2"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#Bibliography"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">7.1</span> <span>Bibliography</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-Bibliography-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </li> <li id="toc-External_links" class="vector-toc-list-item vector-toc-level-1 vector-toc-list-item-expanded"> <a class="vector-toc-link" href="#External_links"> <div class="vector-toc-text"> <span class="vector-toc-numb">8</span> <span>External links</span> </div> </a> <ul id="toc-External_links-sublist" class="vector-toc-list"> </ul> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> </div> </div> <div class="mw-content-container"> <main id="content" class="mw-body"> <header class="mw-body-header vector-page-titlebar"> <nav aria-label="Contents" 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mw-first-heading"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Bulgarian Air Force</span></h1> <div id="p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown mw-portlet mw-portlet-lang" > <input type="checkbox" id="p-lang-btn-checkbox" role="button" aria-haspopup="true" data-event-name="ui.dropdown-p-lang-btn" class="vector-dropdown-checkbox mw-interlanguage-selector" aria-label="Go to an article in another language. Available in 21 languages" > <label id="p-lang-btn-label" for="p-lang-btn-checkbox" class="vector-dropdown-label cdx-button cdx-button--fake-button cdx-button--fake-button--enabled cdx-button--weight-quiet cdx-button--action-progressive mw-portlet-lang-heading-21" aria-hidden="true" ><span class="vector-icon mw-ui-icon-language-progressive mw-ui-icon-wikimedia-language-progressive"></span> <span class="vector-dropdown-label-text">21 languages</span> </label> <div class="vector-dropdown-content"> <div class="vector-menu-content"> <ul class="vector-menu-content-list"> <li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ar mw-list-item"><a href="https://ar.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%82%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AC%D9%88%D9%8A%D8%A9_%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%8A%D8%A9" title="القوات الجوية البلغارية – Arabic" lang="ar" hreflang="ar" data-title="القوات الجوية البلغارية" data-language-autonym="العربية" data-language-local-name="Arabic" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>العربية</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-bg mw-list-item"><a href="https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%8A%D0%B7%D0%B4%D1%83%D1%88%D0%BD%D0%B8_%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8_%D0%BD%D0%B0_%D0%91%D1%8A%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%8F" title="Военновъздушни сили на България – Bulgarian" lang="bg" hreflang="bg" data-title="Военновъздушни сили на България" data-language-autonym="Български" data-language-local-name="Bulgarian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Български</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-cs mw-list-item"><a href="https://cs.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulharsk%C3%A9_letectvo" title="Bulharské letectvo – Czech" lang="cs" hreflang="cs" data-title="Bulharské letectvo" data-language-autonym="Čeština" data-language-local-name="Czech" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Čeština</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-de mw-list-item"><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgarische_Luftstreitkr%C3%A4fte" title="Bulgarische Luftstreitkräfte – German" lang="de" hreflang="de" data-title="Bulgarische Luftstreitkräfte" data-language-autonym="Deutsch" data-language-local-name="German" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Deutsch</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-es mw-list-item"><a href="https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuerza_A%C3%A9rea_de_Bulgaria" title="Fuerza Aérea de Bulgaria – Spanish" lang="es" hreflang="es" data-title="Fuerza Aérea de Bulgaria" data-language-autonym="Español" data-language-local-name="Spanish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Español</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fa mw-list-item"><a href="https://fa.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C_%D9%87%D9%88%D8%A7%DB%8C%DB%8C_%D8%A8%D9%84%D8%BA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%A7%D9%86" title="نیروی هوایی بلغارستان – Persian" lang="fa" hreflang="fa" data-title="نیروی هوایی بلغارستان" data-language-autonym="فارسی" data-language-local-name="Persian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>فارسی</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-fr mw-list-item"><a href="https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_a%C3%A9rienne_bulgare" title="Force aérienne bulgare – French" lang="fr" hreflang="fr" data-title="Force aérienne bulgare" data-language-autonym="Français" data-language-local-name="French" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Français</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-gl mw-list-item"><a href="https://gl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forza_A%C3%A9rea_de_Bulgaria" title="Forza Aérea de Bulgaria – Galician" lang="gl" hreflang="gl" data-title="Forza Aérea de Bulgaria" data-language-autonym="Galego" data-language-local-name="Galician" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Galego</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ko mw-list-item"><a href="https://ko.wikipedia.org/wiki/%EB%B6%88%EA%B0%80%EB%A6%AC%EC%95%84_%EA%B3%B5%EA%B5%B0" title="불가리아 공군 – Korean" lang="ko" hreflang="ko" data-title="불가리아 공군" data-language-autonym="한국어" data-language-local-name="Korean" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>한국어</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-it mw-list-item"><a href="https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/B%C4%83lgarski_Voennov%C4%83zdu%C5%A1ni_sili" title="Bălgarski Voennovăzdušni sili – Italian" lang="it" hreflang="it" data-title="Bălgarski Voennovăzdušni sili" data-language-autonym="Italiano" data-language-local-name="Italian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Italiano</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-hu mw-list-item"><a href="https://hu.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bolg%C3%A1r_L%C3%A9gier%C5%91" title="Bolgár Légierő – Hungarian" lang="hu" hreflang="hu" data-title="Bolgár Légierő" data-language-autonym="Magyar" data-language-local-name="Hungarian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Magyar</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ms mw-list-item"><a href="https://ms.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tentera_Udara_Bulgaria" title="Tentera Udara Bulgaria – Malay" lang="ms" hreflang="ms" data-title="Tentera Udara Bulgaria" data-language-autonym="Bahasa Melayu" data-language-local-name="Malay" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Bahasa Melayu</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ja mw-list-item"><a href="https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%83%96%E3%83%AB%E3%82%AC%E3%83%AA%E3%82%A2%E7%A9%BA%E8%BB%8D" title="ブルガリア空軍 – Japanese" lang="ja" hreflang="ja" data-title="ブルガリア空軍" data-language-autonym="日本語" data-language-local-name="Japanese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>日本語</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pl mw-list-item"><a href="https://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bu%C5%82garskie_Si%C5%82y_Powietrzne" title="Bułgarskie Siły Powietrzne – Polish" lang="pl" hreflang="pl" data-title="Bułgarskie Siły Powietrzne" data-language-autonym="Polski" data-language-local-name="Polish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Polski</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-pt mw-list-item"><a href="https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/For%C3%A7a_A%C3%A9rea_da_Bulg%C3%A1ria" title="Força Aérea da Bulgária – Portuguese" lang="pt" hreflang="pt" data-title="Força Aérea da Bulgária" data-language-autonym="Português" data-language-local-name="Portuguese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Português</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-ru mw-list-item"><a href="https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%92%D0%BE%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%BD%D0%BE-%D0%B2%D0%BE%D0%B7%D0%B4%D1%83%D1%88%D0%BD%D1%8B%D0%B5_%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D1%8B_%D0%91%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B8" title="Военно-воздушные силы Болгарии – Russian" lang="ru" hreflang="ru" data-title="Военно-воздушные силы Болгарии" data-language-autonym="Русский" data-language-local-name="Russian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Русский</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sq mw-list-item"><a href="https://sq.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forca_Ajrore_Bullgare" title="Forca Ajrore Bullgare – Albanian" lang="sq" hreflang="sq" data-title="Forca Ajrore Bullgare" data-language-autonym="Shqip" data-language-local-name="Albanian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Shqip</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-sk mw-list-item"><a href="https://sk.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulharsk%C3%A9_vzdu%C5%A1n%C3%A9_sily" title="Bulharské vzdušné sily – Slovak" lang="sk" hreflang="sk" data-title="Bulharské vzdušné sily" data-language-autonym="Slovenčina" data-language-local-name="Slovak" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Slovenčina</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-tr mw-list-item"><a href="https://tr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulgaristan_Hava_Kuvvetleri" title="Bulgaristan Hava Kuvvetleri – Turkish" lang="tr" hreflang="tr" data-title="Bulgaristan Hava Kuvvetleri" data-language-autonym="Türkçe" data-language-local-name="Turkish" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Türkçe</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-uk mw-list-item"><a href="https://uk.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%B2%D1%96%D1%82%D1%80%D1%8F%D0%BD%D1%96_%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8_%D0%91%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%96%D1%97" title="Повітряні сили Болгарії – Ukrainian" lang="uk" hreflang="uk" data-title="Повітряні сили Болгарії" data-language-autonym="Українська" data-language-local-name="Ukrainian" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>Українська</span></a></li><li class="interlanguage-link interwiki-zh mw-list-item"><a href="https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E4%BF%9D%E5%8A%A0%E5%88%A9%E4%BA%9E%E7%A9%BA%E8%BB%8D" title="保加利亞空軍 – Chinese" lang="zh" hreflang="zh" data-title="保加利亞空軍" data-language-autonym="中文" data-language-local-name="Chinese" class="interlanguage-link-target"><span>中文</span></a></li> </ul> <div class="after-portlet after-portlet-lang"><span class="wb-langlinks-edit wb-langlinks-link"><a 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<div id="mw-content-text" class="mw-body-content"><div class="mw-content-ltr mw-parser-output" lang="en" dir="ltr"><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Air warfare branch of Bulgaria's armed forces</div> <p class="mw-empty-elt"> </p> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1251242444">.mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid 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Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.<br /><small><span class="plainlinks"><i>Find sources:</i> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?as_eq=wikipedia&q=%22Bulgarian+Air+Force%22">"Bulgarian Air Force"</a> – <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?tbm=nws&q=%22Bulgarian+Air+Force%22+-wikipedia&tbs=ar:1">news</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?&q=%22Bulgarian+Air+Force%22&tbs=bkt:s&tbm=bks">newspapers</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.google.com/search?tbs=bks:1&q=%22Bulgarian+Air+Force%22+-wikipedia">books</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=%22Bulgarian+Air+Force%22">scholar</a> <b>·</b> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.jstor.org/action/doBasicSearch?Query=%22Bulgarian+Air+Force%22&acc=on&wc=on">JSTOR</a></span></small></span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">April 2016</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1257001546">.mw-parser-output .infobox-subbox{padding:0;border:none;margin:-3px;width:auto;min-width:100%;font-size:100%;clear:none;float:none;background-color:transparent}.mw-parser-output .infobox-3cols-child{margin:auto}.mw-parser-output .infobox .navbar{font-size:100%}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme)>div:not(.notheme)[style]{background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data:not(.notheme) div:not(.notheme){background:#1f1f23!important;color:#f8f9fa}}@media(min-width:640px){body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table{display:table!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>caption{display:table-caption!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table>tbody{display:table-row-group}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table tr{display:table-row!important}body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table th,body.skin--responsive .mw-parser-output .infobox-table td{padding-left:inherit;padding-right:inherit}}</style><table class="infobox" style="width:25.5em;border-spacing:2px;"><tbody><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-above" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;font-size:110%;">Bulgarian Air Force</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-subheader" style="background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1126788409">.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul{line-height:inherit;list-style:none;margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .plainlist ol li,.mw-parser-output .plainlist ul li{margin-bottom:0}</style><div class="plainlist"><ul><li><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Военновъздушни сили</span></span></li><li><span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><i lang="bg-Latn">Voennovazdushni sili</i></span></li></ul></div></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="infobox-image" style="text-align:center;border-bottom:1px solid #aaa;line-height:1.5em;"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg/200px-Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg.png" decoding="async" width="200" height="200" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg/300px-Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg/400px-Bulgarian_Armed_Forces_Air_Force_Emblem.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="601" /></a></span><div class="infobox-caption">Emblem of the Bulgarian Air Force</div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Founded</th><td class="infobox-data">20 April 1906<span style="display:none"> (<span class="bday dtstart published updated itvstart">1906-04-20</span>)</span></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Country</th><td class="infobox-data"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/35px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/46px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600" /></span></span> </span><a href="/wiki/Bulgaria" title="Bulgaria">Bulgaria</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Type</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Air_force" title="Air force">Air force</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Role</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Aerial_warfare" title="Aerial warfare">Aerial warfare</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Size</th><td class="infobox-data">8,500 active personnel<sup id="cite_ref-IISS1_1-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS1-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <br /> 126 aircraft</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Part of</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_Armed_Forces" title="Bulgarian Armed Forces">Bulgarian Armed Forces</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Anniversaries</th><td class="infobox-data">16 October</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Website</th><td class="infobox-data"><span class="url"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://af.armf.bg/bg/">af<wbr />.armf<wbr />.bg<wbr />/bg<wbr />/</a></span></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;font-size:110%;">Commanders</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Commander</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Major_General" class="mw-redirect" title="Major General">Major General</a> Dimitar Petrov</td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Deputy Commander</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Brigadier_General" class="mw-redirect" title="Brigadier General">Brigadier General</a> Petyo Mirchev<sup id="cite_ref-mod_2-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mod-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Chief of Staff</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Colonel" title="Colonel">Colonel</a> Dimitar Yankov Georgiev<sup id="cite_ref-mod_2-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mod-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;">Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force</th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Chief_master_sergeant" title="Chief master sergeant">CMSGT</a> Rumen Petrov<sup id="cite_ref-mod_2-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mod-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;font-size:110%;">Insignia</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Military_aircraft_insignia" title="Military aircraft insignia">Roundel</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg/90px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="90" height="90" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg/135px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg/180px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="609" data-file-height="609" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" class="infobox-header" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;text-align:center;vertical-align:middle;font-size:110%;">Aircraft flown</th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Attack_aircraft" title="Attack aircraft">Attack</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Su-25" class="mw-redirect" title="Su-25">Su-25</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Fighter_aircraft" title="Fighter aircraft">Fighter</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/MiG-29" class="mw-redirect" title="MiG-29">MiG-29</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Helicopter" title="Helicopter">Helicopter</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-17" title="Mil Mi-17">Mil Mi-17</a>, <a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_AS_532_Cougar" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar">Eurocopter AS 532 Cougar</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bell_206" title="Bell 206">Bell 206</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Attack_helicopter" title="Attack helicopter">Attack helicopter</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-24" title="Mil Mi-24">Mil Mi-24</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Surveillance_aircraft" title="Surveillance aircraft">Reconnaissance</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/An-30" class="mw-redirect" title="An-30">An-30</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Trainer_(aircraft)" class="mw-redirect" title="Trainer (aircraft)">Trainer</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros" title="Aero L-39 Albatros">L-39</a>, <a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-9" title="Pilatus PC-9">PC-9</a>, <a href="/wiki/Zl%C3%ADn_Z_42" title="Zlín Z 42">Zlín Z 42</a></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="infobox-label" style="padding-right: 1em;"><a href="/wiki/Cargo_aircraft" title="Cargo aircraft">Transport</a></th><td class="infobox-data"><a href="/wiki/Let_L-410" class="mw-redirect" title="Let L-410">L-410</a>, <a href="/wiki/C-27J_Spartan" class="mw-redirect" title="C-27J Spartan">C-27J Spartan</a>, <a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12" title="Pilatus PC-12">Pilatus PC-12</a>, <a href="/wiki/An-26" class="mw-redirect" title="An-26">An-26</a>, <a href="/wiki/An-2" class="mw-redirect" title="An-2">An-2</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="shortdescription nomobile noexcerpt noprint searchaux" style="display:none">Military unit</div> <p>The <b>Bulgarian Air Force</b> (<a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_language" title="Bulgarian language">Bulgarian</a>: <span lang="bg">Военновъздушни сили</span>, <small><a href="/wiki/Romanization_of_Bulgarian" title="Romanization of Bulgarian">romanized</a>: </small><span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><i lang="bg-Latn">Voennovazdushni sili</i></span>) is one of the three branches of the <a href="/wiki/Military_of_Bulgaria" class="mw-redirect" title="Military of Bulgaria">Military of Bulgaria</a>, the other two being the <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_Navy" title="Bulgarian Navy">Bulgarian Navy</a> and <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_land_forces" class="mw-redirect" title="Bulgarian land forces">Bulgarian land forces</a>. Its mission is to guard and protect the sovereignty of <a href="/wiki/Bulgaria" title="Bulgaria">Bulgarian</a> airspace, and jointly with the other branches, to protect territorial integrity.<sup id="cite_ref-mod_2-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-mod-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Bulgarian Air Force is one of the oldest <a href="/wiki/Air_force" title="Air force">air forces</a> in <a href="/wiki/Europe" title="Europe">Europe</a> and the world. In recent times it has been actively taking part in numerous <a href="/wiki/NATO" title="NATO">NATO</a> missions and <a href="/wiki/Military_exercise" title="Military exercise">exercises</a> in <a href="/wiki/Europe" title="Europe">Europe</a>. </p><p>The current commanding officer of the Bulgarian Air Force is <a href="/wiki/Major_General" class="mw-redirect" title="Major General">Major General</a> Dimitar Hristov Petrov.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Early_years">Early years</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Early years"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Masl.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/Masl.jpg/220px-Masl.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="103" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/04/Masl.jpg/330px-Masl.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/0/04/Masl.jpg 2x" data-file-width="401" data-file-height="187" /></a><figcaption>Boris Maslennikov's airplane in flight, Sofia 1910</figcaption></figure> <p>The Bulgarian Air Force dates back to the end of the 19th century. At the 1892 <a href="/wiki/Plovdiv_International_Fair" class="mw-redirect" title="Plovdiv International Fair">Plovdiv International Fair</a>, two lieutenants of the <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_Army" class="mw-redirect" title="Bulgarian Army">Bulgarian Army</a> flew in the 'La France' <a href="/wiki/Balloon_(aircraft)" class="mw-redirect" title="Balloon (aircraft)">balloon</a> owned by the Frenchman <a href="/wiki/Eug%C3%A8ne_Godard" title="Eugène Godard">Eugène Godard</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Later, inspired by the flight, they succeeded in convincing the Bulgarian General Staff that the Army should build a balloon force. Despite numerous refusals from military schools around Europe who would not teach Bulgarian officers to use airships, eventually the Imperial Aviation School in <a href="/wiki/St._Petersburg" class="mw-redirect" title="St. Petersburg">St. Petersburg</a> enrolled Lieutenant Vasil Zlatarov as a student. On 20 April 1906 "Vazduhoplavatelno Otdelenie" (roughly translated as Aviation Squad) was created to operate observation balloons for the Army, initially as a part of Railway Battalion.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After graduation Lt. Zlatarov was appointed its first commander. After operating small balloons, in 1911 a bigger Godard balloon was bought, and in 1912 the first indigenous balloon, Sofia-1, was constructed in Bulgaria using materials bought from <a href="/wiki/Russia" title="Russia">Russia</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 1910, a Russian aircraft engineer, Boris Maslennikov, was invited to <a href="/wiki/Bulgaria" title="Bulgaria">Bulgaria</a>, where he presented his airplane, a modification of the French <a href="/wiki/Farman_III" title="Farman III">Farman III</a>. Following his demonstration, assisted by Vasil Zlatarov over the hippodrome in <a href="/wiki/Sofia" title="Sofia">Sofia</a>, the Bulgarian Government decided to acquire airplanes for The Aviation Corps. In early 1912 thirteen army officers were sent abroad for training as pilots and orders were placed for five French, British and German airplanes.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The officers sent to France completed their training first and returned to Bulgaria in July 1912. The same year Bulgaria received its first airplane – a <a href="/wiki/Bleriot_XXI" class="mw-redirect" title="Bleriot XXI">Bleriot XXI</a>, which Simeon Petrov flew on 13 August 1912 to become the first Bulgarian to pilot an airplane over Bulgaria.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="First_and_Second_Balkan_Wars">First and Second Balkan Wars</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: First and Second Balkan Wars"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg/220px-Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="111" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg/330px-Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ab/Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg/440px-Bleriot_XI_-_Simeon_Petrov.jpg 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="304" /></a><figcaption>Simon Petrov in a Bleriot XI 1912</figcaption></figure> <p>Following the outbreak of the <a href="/wiki/First_Balkan_War" title="First Balkan War">First Balkan War</a>, Bulgarian pilots, while still abroad, hastily procured aircraft to be shipped home after them and foreign volunteer pilots converged from all over Europe to fly for Bulgaria.<sup id="cite_ref-aeroflight.co.uk_5-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-aeroflight.co.uk-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> After the front lines had stabilized, an Aeroplane Platoon was established at a new airfield close to the fighting.<sup id="cite_ref-aeroflight.co.uk_5-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-aeroflight.co.uk-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Intelligence about the <a href="/wiki/Turkish_army" class="mw-redirect" title="Turkish army">Turkish army</a> strength and dispositions in the <a href="/wiki/Edirne" title="Edirne">Edirne</a> was required, and on <a href="/wiki/1912_in_aviation" title="1912 in aviation">16 October 1912</a>, two aviators performed a reconnaissance flight over the city in an <a href="/wiki/Farman_III" title="Farman III">Albatros F.2</a> biplane, also dropping two bombs. This was not only the first military mission performed by a Bulgarian aircraft, but also the first combat use of an aircraft in Europe and one of the first bombing attacks.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Later that month the Bulgarian Aviation Corps was expanded to three Aeroplane Platoons. Foreign volunteers began flying operational sorties alongside Bulgarian pilots and carried out <a href="/wiki/Reconnaissance" title="Reconnaissance">reconnaissance</a>, leaflet-dropping and bombing missions. During the war at least three aircraft were shot down. Considerable help was received from the Russians in terms of aircraft, maintenance and training. Due to low aircraft serviceability and frequent accidents, the number of missions flown was relatively low. Despite that, the Bulgarian airmen and their foreign allies were able to gather enough intelligence for the Army General Staff to help successfully capture of the city after a long <a href="/wiki/Siege_of_Adrianople_(1912%E2%80%9313)" class="mw-redirect" title="Siege of Adrianople (1912–13)">siege</a>. Although inflicting little physical damage, the bombs had a devastating effect on the defending Turkish garrison's morale and played a crucial part in the fall of the city, which was until then considered nearly impregnable.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> During the First Balkan War Bulgarian aviation undertook 70 combat sorties, including 11 bombing raids, during the Second Balkan War it undertook 6 sorties.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> All in all, during both wars, there were over 230 aircraft sorties, including non-combat flights.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In addition to the Albatros F.2, Bulgaria flew <a href="/wiki/Bl%C3%A9riot_XI" title="Blériot XI">Blériot XI</a> and <a href="/wiki/Bl%C3%A9riot_XXI" title="Blériot XXI">XXI</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bristol_Prier_monoplane" title="Bristol Prier monoplane">Bristol Prier</a>, Farman VII and <a href="/wiki/Nieuport_IV" title="Nieuport IV">Nieuport IV</a> aircraft, as well as examples provided by Sommer and Voisin.<sup id="cite_ref-bulg1_4-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="World_War_I_(1914–1918)"><span id="World_War_I_.281914.E2.80.931918.29"></span>World War I (1914–1918)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: World War I (1914–1918)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Army_air_action">Army air action</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Army air action"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg/160px-Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg.png" decoding="async" width="160" height="160" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg/240px-Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg/320px-Cross-Pattee-Heraldry.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="512" /></a><figcaption>Insignia from 1915 to 1918</figcaption></figure> <p>The <a href="/wiki/Tsardom_of_Bulgaria_(1908%E2%80%931946)" title="Tsardom of Bulgaria (1908–1946)">Tsardom of Bulgaria</a> entered <a href="/wiki/World_War_I" title="World War I">World War I</a> as an ally of the <a href="/wiki/Central_Powers" title="Central Powers">Central Powers</a> on 4 October 1915. The Aeroplane Section of the Bulgarian Army was reformed with assistance from Germany and Austria.<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Aircraft were deployed to <a href="/wiki/Kumanovo" title="Kumanovo">Kumanovo</a> Airfield in support of advancing Bulgarian forces, but bad weather initially prevented any flying. Until then they had completed 11 combat sorties from an airfield in <a href="/wiki/Sofia" title="Sofia">Sofia</a> (now the central railway station).<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> As the frontline advanced, the unit re-deployed to airfields near Belitsa and <a href="/wiki/Xanthi" title="Xanthi">Xanthi</a>, in modern <a href="/wiki/Greece" title="Greece">Greece</a>. Newly acquired German <a href="/wiki/LVG" title="LVG">LVG</a> aircraft were hastily pressed into action.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> Two more airfields were constructed near Udovo and Levunovo. The <a href="/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_I" title="Allies of World War I">Allies</a> began flying reconnaissance and bomber sorties against Bulgarian units on the <a href="/wiki/Macedonian_front_(World_War_I)" class="mw-redirect" title="Macedonian front (World War I)">Southern Balkan Front</a>. Throughout World War I Bulgarian military aviation experienced a steady increase in both numbers and quality of aircraft; however, they remained inferior to those flown by the Allies, especially the British and French. The First Aeroplane Section (the country's only aircraft unit) was attached to the Second Bulgarian Army. It flew 255 sorties compared to 397 flown by the four squadrons of the <a href="/wiki/Allies_of_World_War_I" title="Allies of World War I">Entente</a> it opposed, and operated the following types:<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p> <ul><li>12 <a href="/wiki/LVG_B.II" class="mw-redirect" title="LVG B.II">LVG B.II</a> – reconnaissance aircraft, the first group of six arriving in November 1915. Those two seaters were also used as fighters by the Bulgarians, as dedicated "scouts" were not available.</li> <li>13 <a href="/wiki/Otto_C.I" title="Otto C.I">Otto C.I</a> – a twin-tailed pusher bomber. The first Otto in arrived in May 1916.</li> <li>18 <a href="/wiki/Albatros_C.III" title="Albatros C.III">Albatros C.III</a> – reconnaissance aircraft, also used as trainers. First delivery in August 1916.</li> <li>12 <a href="/wiki/DFW_C.V" title="DFW C.V">DFW C.V</a> – reconnaissance aircraft, first arrived in August 1917.</li> <li>6 <a href="/wiki/Roland_D.II" class="mw-redirect" title="Roland D.II">Roland D.II</a> fighters. During July 1917 the first of these arrived with the Section.</li> <li>6 <a href="/wiki/Roland_D.III" class="mw-redirect" title="Roland D.III">Roland D.III</a> fighters, the first arriving at the end of 1917.</li> <li>3 <a href="/wiki/Fokker_E.III" title="Fokker E.III">Fokker E.III</a> fighters, first of these delivered in the spring of 1916.</li> <li>8 <a href="/wiki/Fokker_D.VII" title="Fokker D.VII">Fokker D.VII</a> – the best fighter used by Bulgaria in World War I. Delivery took place in September 1918 and they saw no action. 7 were scrapped in accordance with the peace treaty. The 8th flew as a two-seater after the war.</li> <li>2 <a href="/wiki/Albatros_C.I" title="Albatros C.I">Albatros C.I</a>. These were ordered by the Ottoman Empire before Bulgaria entered the war. During early 1915 a couple landed on then neutral Bulgarian territory after a navigational error, and they were seized.</li></ul> <p>In addition, the Bulgarian Navy used the following airplanes: </p> <ul><li>8 <a href="/wiki/Friedrichshafen_FF.33" title="Friedrichshafen FF.33">Friedrichshafen FF.33</a> floatplane bombers, starting in 1916</li> <li>2 <a href="/wiki/Rumpler_6B" title="Rumpler 6B">Rumpler 6B1</a> floatplane fighters, starting in 1916</li></ul> <p>A number of Bulgarian pilots flew with German air units at the <a href="/wiki/Western_Front_(World_War_I)" title="Western Front (World War I)">Western Front</a> and at Xanthi. They operated several types, including the <a href="/wiki/Albatros_D.III" title="Albatros D.III">Albatros D.III</a> and Halberstadt, which would later mistakenly be listed on the Bulgarian inventory by some sources.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading5"><h5 id="Captured_Allied_aircraft">Captured Allied aircraft</h5><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Captured Allied aircraft"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-left" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg/220px-Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="148" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg/330px-Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg/440px-Armstrong-Whitworth_FK3_captured.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="690" /></a><figcaption>Bulgarian airmen in captured British <a href="/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_FK.3" class="mw-redirect" title="Armstrong Whitworth FK.3">Armstrong Whitworth FK.3</a></figcaption></figure> <p>On 30 September 1916 a French <a href="/wiki/Farman_F.40" title="Farman F.40">Farman F.40</a> bomber of Escadrille 384 was tasked with attacking the Bulgarian capital, <a href="/wiki/Sofia" title="Sofia">Sofia</a>. Two Bulgarian <a href="/wiki/Fokker_E.III" title="Fokker E.III">Fokker E.IIIs</a> were positioned south of Sofia to intercept the intruder, while a flight of three armed Albatros C.III two-seat trainers covered the center of the city as backup. The bomber successfully dropped its bombs over Sofia while escaping anti-aircraft fire but, while departing, was attacked by the Bulgarian Fokkers, one piloted by Marko Parvanov, which brought the Farman down with a dead engine.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Another Allied aircraft, a <a href="/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom">British</a> <a href="/wiki/Armstrong_Whitworth_F.K.3" title="Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3">Armstrong Whitworth F.K.3</a>, was captured by Bulgarian troops on 12 February 1917 after engine problems forced it to land. Both it and the crew were captured. It would receive Bulgarian insignia and be used to bomb Allied positions at night. Four such sorties were flown before being shot down on 23 May 1918.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>A <a href="/wiki/Nieuport_24bis" class="mw-redirect" title="Nieuport 24bis">Nieuport 24bis</a> and a <a href="/wiki/Nieuport_27" title="Nieuport 27">Nieuport 27</a> were also captured. Lieutenant Vladimir Balan, a Bulgarian fighter pilot who had been flying with a German Jasta on the Western Front, was flying one of the Nieuports when he shot down the squadron leader of <a href="/wiki/No._17_Squadron_RAF" title="No. 17 Squadron RAF">No. 17 Squadron RAF</a>.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Naval_air_action">Naval air action</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: Naval air action"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Bulgarian naval aviators also played an important role in the air war. In 1912 <a href="/wiki/Petty-Officer" class="mw-redirect" title="Petty-Officer">Petty-Officers</a> Lyapchev and Mikhailov were sent, along with other officers and seamen, to the German naval aviation forming facilities for training. Another group of naval personnel followed in the beginning of the First World War. Training was held at List, Nordenhai and Kiel. In November 1915 a <a href="/w/index.php?title=Seaplane_station&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Seaplane station (page does not exist)">seaplane station</a> under German control was established near <a href="/wiki/Varna,_Bulgaria" title="Varna, Bulgaria">Varna</a>, initially operating four Friedrichshafen FF.33 bombers and a Rumpler 6B1 fighter. Later, at the coast of the Varna Lake, a second <a href="/wiki/Seaplane" title="Seaplane">seaplane</a> station was built (this one under Bulgarian control), operating the same inventory. Near <a href="/wiki/Sozopol" title="Sozopol">Sozopol</a> a forward fuel and ammunition replenishment base was established in support of patrol flights over the southern Bulgarian coastline. At the end of 1917 the German station was transferred to the Bulgarian Navy. At the time of the armistice the Bulgarian fleet air arm comprised two seaplane stations, a forward replenishment base, three hangars, three workshops, ammunition warehouses and 10 seaplanes. After the cease-fire the machines were used for mine reconnaissance. At the end of 1919 they are transported by train to <a href="/wiki/Bozhurishte" title="Bozhurishte">Bozhurishte</a> Airfield to be scrapped along with the army aviation inventory.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>The Bulgarian balloon observers also took part in the war. They were most active on the <a href="/wiki/Dobruja" title="Dobruja">Dobrudzha</a> Front, where aircraft activities were scarce (a German bomber squadron, flying missions against <a href="/wiki/Bucharest" title="Bucharest">Bucharest</a> and <a href="/wiki/Constan%C5%A3a" class="mw-redirect" title="Constanţa">Constanţa</a>: "Gotha" bombers accounted for the most flights). Near the Bulgarian city of <a href="/wiki/Yambol" title="Yambol">Yambol</a> an <a href="/wiki/Airship_hangar" title="Airship hangar">airship hangar</a> was constructed to house German airships. The airship Schütte-Lanz SL 10 was the first to use it. According to documents of the time it was assigned to the Bulgarian Army, but was actually under German control. It was lost during a flight over the <a href="/wiki/Black_Sea" title="Black Sea">Black Sea</a> in July 1916. In August 1916 the LZ 101 replaced it. After performing raids on targets in Romania and Greece it returned to Germany in August 1917. In November 1917 the naval airship <a href="/wiki/Zeppelin_LZ104" class="mw-redirect" title="Zeppelin LZ104">L 59</a> arrived. That airship flew a series of remarkable missions, such as an attempted resupply of the garrison in the colony <a href="/wiki/German_East_Africa" title="German East Africa">German East Africa</a> and the bombing of <a href="/wiki/Naples" title="Naples">Naples</a> and <a href="/wiki/Port_Said" title="Port Said">Port Said</a>. During a mission against the British naval base in <a href="/wiki/Malta" title="Malta">Malta</a>, a lightning strike over the <a href="/wiki/Mediterranean_Sea" title="Mediterranean Sea">Mediterranean Sea</a> set it alight and completely destroyed it. All hands were lost.<sup id="cite_ref-Fallschirmjaeger_10-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Fallschirmjaeger-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Destruction_and_survival_under_the_peace_treaty_(1919–1936)"><span id="Destruction_and_survival_under_the_peace_treaty_.281919.E2.80.931936.29"></span>Destruction and survival under the peace treaty (1919–1936)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=8" title="Edit section: Destruction and survival under the peace treaty (1919–1936)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>On 4 October 1918 the Bulgarian Tsar issued a Royal Act of Demobilization. This resulted in military aviation being converted to its peacetime structure.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> The Aeroplane group, based in Bozhurishte comprised the following: </p> <ul><li>Two aeroplane companies</li> <li>An aeroplane school</li> <li>An aeroplane atelliér</li> <li>An aeroplane depot</li></ul> <p>The Chaika Naval Seaplane station at Varna was under Naval command. </p><p>On 27 November 1919 the <a href="/wiki/Treaty_of_Neuilly-sur-Seine" title="Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine">Treaty of Neuilly-sur-Seine</a> was signed. In accordance with the <a href="/wiki/Treaty" title="Treaty">treaty</a> the <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Bulgaria" class="mw-redirect" title="Kingdom of Bulgaria">Tsardom of Bulgaria</a> was banned from operating <a href="/wiki/Military_aircraft" title="Military aircraft">military aircraft</a> under any form for the next 20 years. All Bulgarian airplanes, balloons, aviation equipment, weaponry and ammunition were to be destroyed under Allied control and all personnel demobilised.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Under the terms of the treaty any aircraft procured for civilian purposes had to be bought from the countries on the winning side. The combined engine power for any airplane (including multi-engined ones) was not to exceed 180 hp. In addition, the Bulgarian airspace was to be controlled by the allies and used according to the victorious countries' interests.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>In accordance with the treaty during 1920 no less than 70 <a href="/wiki/Airplanes" class="mw-redirect" title="Airplanes">airplanes</a>, 110 <a href="/wiki/Aircraft_engines" class="mw-redirect" title="Aircraft engines">aircraft engines</a>, 3 air balloons, 76 <a href="/wiki/Machine_guns" class="mw-redirect" title="Machine guns">machine guns</a>, a number of photographic <a href="/wiki/Camera" title="Camera">cameras</a> and other aviation equipment were destroyed at the <a href="/wiki/Military_airfield" class="mw-redirect" title="Military airfield">military airfield</a> of Bozhurishte. The <a href="/wiki/Seaplanes" class="mw-redirect" title="Seaplanes">seaplanes</a> of the <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_Navy" title="Bulgarian Navy">Bulgarian Navy</a> were delivered by train to the same airfield and scrapped soon after that. </p> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Dar10.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Dar10.jpg/220px-Dar10.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="130" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Dar10.jpg/330px-Dar10.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Dar10.jpg/440px-Dar10.jpg 2x" data-file-width="750" data-file-height="443" /></a><figcaption>A Bulgarian-manufactured <a href="/wiki/DAR-10" class="mw-redirect" title="DAR-10">DAR-10</a> training plane was inspired by Polish <a href="/wiki/PZL.43" title="PZL.43">PZL.43</a> light bomber. DAR produced small numbers of locally designed aircraft</figcaption></figure> <p>Due to the devotion of the Air Troops personnel and the help of the population of the surrounding villages, several aircraft were hidden, thus evading Allied inspection following destruction. Seven DFW C.V, Albatros C.III and a single Fokker D.VII were among the survivors. In addition, at least ten aviation engines (<a href="/wiki/Benz_Bz.IV" title="Benz Bz.IV">Benz Bz.IV</a> and <a href="/wiki/Mercedes_D.III" title="Mercedes D.III">Mercedes D.III</a>) were also saved.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>The Bulgarian government tried to get around the ban for military flight activity by establishing a Gendarmery Aeroplane Section in 1919. Since the Gendarmery was at that time a service under the Ministry of War, the creation of the unit was met by fierce opposition by the Allied commission. This almost resulted in the destruction of the whole <a href="/wiki/Sofia_Airport" title="Sofia Airport">Vrazhdebna Airfield</a>, but the disbandment of the unit prevented this from happening.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>An Aeroflight Section under the Ministry of <a href="/wiki/Railway" class="mw-redirect" title="Railway">Railways</a>, <a href="/wiki/Postal_Service" class="mw-redirect" title="Postal Service">Postal Service</a> and <a href="/wiki/Telegraph" class="mw-redirect" title="Telegraph">Telegraph</a> was created in 1920. Bulgarian aviation personnel assembled two airplanes from hidden spares and parts, salvaged from the destroyed military airplanes. The two aircraft, known as "the mixed planes", recorded about 1000 flight hours altogether. The sole remaining Bulgarian Fokker D.VII was disguised as a two-seater, thus being classified as a trainer and returning to active service.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>On 5 July 1923 Bulgaria ratified the International Civil Aviation Treaty. From that moment on its air vehicles would carry a registration in the form B-B??? (the latter three signs being a combination of capital letters). In 1923 the first group of cadets, called "student-flyers" entered the Flying school at Vrazhdebna AF. </p><p>The following year (1924) the first new airplanes were acquired. Those were machines of the <a href="/wiki/Potez_VIII" title="Potez VIII">Potez VIII</a>, <a href="/wiki/Caudron_C.59" title="Caudron C.59">Caudron C.59</a>, <a href="/wiki/Hanriot_HD.14" title="Hanriot HD.14">Hanriot HD.14</a> and <a href="/wiki/Bristol_Tourer" title="Bristol Tourer">Bristol Tourer</a> Type 29; <a href="/wiki/Avro_522" class="mw-redirect" title="Avro 522">Avro 522</a> seaplanes were also procured. During the same year the Bulgarian airplane construction specialist Atanas Grigorov (who obtained his qualification at the "Albatroswerke – Berlin") assembled his seaplane, called "Grigorov-1". The aircraft made several test-flights, recording excellent characteristics, but was damaged beyond repair by a storm in the hangar where it was stationed. Also in 1924 the Aeroplane Section was expanded to an Aeroflight Directorate still under the Ministry of Railways, Postal Service and Telegraph.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>1925 saw the <a href="/wiki/Potez_XVII" class="mw-redirect" title="Potez XVII">Potez XVII</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bristol_Primary_Trainer" title="Bristol Primary Trainer">Bristol Lucifer</a> and <a href="/wiki/Alenia_Aermacchi" title="Alenia Aermacchi">Macchi</a> 2000/18 flying boat boosting the country's aircraft inventory. The Bulgarian government invited a group of German aircraft engineers, headed by the constructor Herr Hermann Winter to help establish an aviation factory. Named The State's Aeroconstruction Atelliér or <a href="/wiki/Darzhavna_Aeroplanna_Rabotilnitsa" title="Darzhavna Aeroplanna Rabotilnitsa">Darzhavna Aeroplanna Rabotilnitsa</a> (DAR) the factory was initially managed by the first Bulgarian pilot to achieve an aerial victory – Mr. Marko Parvanov. The first aircraft types produced at the plant were the U-1 or "Uzounov-1" (an indigenous variant of the wartime German DFW C.V) and the <a href="/wiki/DAR_2" class="mw-redirect" title="DAR 2">DAR 2</a> (an indigenous variant of the German <a href="/wiki/Albatros_C.III" title="Albatros C.III">Albatros C.III</a> of the same era). Both types became well-known and loved by the personnel of the former Air Troops and gained Bulgarian combat service experience.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (May 2019)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> Development of a new type – the <a href="/wiki/DAR_1" title="DAR 1">DAR 1</a> – was also started. </p> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Stele-Plovdiv.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Stele-Plovdiv.jpg/220px-Stele-Plovdiv.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="338" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Stele-Plovdiv.jpg/330px-Stele-Plovdiv.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/Stele-Plovdiv.jpg/440px-Stele-Plovdiv.jpg 2x" data-file-width="654" data-file-height="1005" /></a><figcaption>One of the eagles that decorated the entrance of <a href="/w/index.php?title=Bozhurishte_Air_Base&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bozhurishte Air Base (page does not exist)">Bozhurishte Air Base</a> in the 1930s and 1940s, now preserved at the <a href="/w/index.php?title=Plovdiv_Museum_of_Aviation&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Plovdiv Museum of Aviation (page does not exist)">Plovdiv Museum of Aviation</a></figcaption></figure> <p>During the course of 1926 the Airplane School was moved to the geographical center of the country. The town of <a href="/wiki/Kazanlak" title="Kazanlak">Kazanlak</a> was well suited, for it was far away from the Allied Control Commission. The <a href="/wiki/Czechoslovakia" title="Czechoslovakia">Czechoslovak</a> company <a href="/wiki/Aero_Vodochody" title="Aero Vodochody">Aero Vodochody</a> also built an aircraft factory near that city, but its models were not up to the requirements of the Bulgarian authorities. After an unsuccessful switch to automotive production, the plant was finally sold to the Italian <a href="/wiki/Caproni" title="Caproni">Caproni</a> company. The factory became popular as "Balgarski Kaproni" or "Bulgarian Caproni". The first examples of the DAR 1 biplane were produced and entered service with the Aeroflight Directorate during 1926.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>The 1927 structure of the Directorate was the following: </p> <ul><li>A fighter <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span>,<sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-12"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>NOTE 1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> flying the DAR 1</li> <li>A bomber <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span>, flying the DAR U-1 and DAR 2</li> <li>A reconnaissance <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span>, flying the Potez XVII</li> <li>A seaplane <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span>, flying Avro 522 floatplanes and Macchi 2000/18 flying boats</li> <li>An aeroplane school, flying the <a href="/wiki/Caudron_C.59" title="Caudron C.59">Caudron C.59</a>, the <a href="/wiki/Hanriot_HD.14" title="Hanriot HD.14">Hanriot HD.14</a> and the Šmolnik Š.18 (officially known as <a href="/wiki/Letov_%C5%A0-18" title="Letov Š-18">Letov Š-18</a>)</li></ul> <p>In 1928 the Ministry of War started the ambitious 10-year program for development of the military aviation (still banned by the peace treaty). According to the plan the following structure had to be achieved: </p> <ul><li>4 army fighter orlyaks,<sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-13"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>NOTE 2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> each made of two yatos, or overall 8 yatos flying 96 fighter planes</li> <li>4 army reconnaissance orlyaks, each made of two <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yatos</span></span>, or overall 8 <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yatos</span></span> flying 96 reconnaissance planes</li> <li>18 divisionary reconnaissance <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yatos</span></span>, basically air support aviation, each flying 12 planes or 216 planes altogether</li> <li>Strike Aviation Brigade with: <ul><li>Fighter Orlyak of 48 machines</li> <li>Bomber Orlyak of 36 machines</li> <li>Reconnaissance Orlyak of 2 machines</li></ul></li> <li>Maritime Orlyak <ul><li>2 seaplane fighter <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yatos</span></span>, flying 24 fighters</li> <li>2 seaplane bomber <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yatos</span></span>, flying 18 bombers</li></ul></li></ul> <p>In 1931 Bulgaria signed the Warsaw Treaty, concerning international civil air activities and the country was assigned the new civil registration – LZ-??? (the latter three signs being a combination of capital letters). In 1933 the Bulgarian Council of Ministers approved the following wartime order of battle of the aviation: </p> <ul><li>a mixed orlyak of: <ul><li>a fighter <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span></li> <li>a bomber <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span></li> <li>a reconnaissance <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span></li> <li>a liaison and photographic survey <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span></li></ul></li> <li>a maritime <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span></li> <li>a training orlyak</li> <li>a Pilot School at Kazanlak airfield</li> <li>a balloon company (which was never actually created, as the balloon was considered obsolete for military purposes at the time).</li></ul> <p>In 1934 the Aviation Regiment was renamed His Majesty's Air Troops, comprising a headquarters, with two army orlyaks (based at <a href="/wiki/Bozhurishte" title="Bozhurishte">Bozhurishte</a> and <a href="/wiki/Plovdiv" title="Plovdiv">Plovdiv</a> airfields), a training orlyak (in <a href="/wiki/Plovdiv" title="Plovdiv">Plovdiv</a>), a maritime <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yato</span></span> (at NAS Chaika, Varna) and additional operational support units. Colonel Ivan Mikhailov was appointed the first chief of the air force with Lieutenant-Colonel Georgi Vasilev appointed as his Deputy.<sup id="cite_ref-Fallschirmjaeger_10-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Fallschirmjaeger-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In late 1930s Bulgaria started acquiring Polish and German aircraft. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Years_of_Rebirth_(1937–1939)"><span id="Years_of_Rebirth_.281937.E2.80.931939.29"></span>Years of Rebirth (1937–1939)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=9" title="Edit section: Years of Rebirth (1937–1939)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Roundel_of_Bulgaria_(1937-1941).svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281937-1941%29.svg/160px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281937-1941%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="160" height="160" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281937-1941%29.svg/240px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281937-1941%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281937-1941%29.svg/320px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281937-1941%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="600" /></a><figcaption>Insignia from 1937 to 1941, also the <a href="/wiki/Orders,_decorations,_and_medals_of_Bulgaria" title="Orders, decorations, and medals of Bulgaria">Medal of Bravery</a></figcaption></figure> <p>In 1936 Bulgaria ordered 14 <a href="/wiki/PZL_P.24" title="PZL P.24">PZL P.24</a>B fighters and 12 <a href="/wiki/PZL.43" title="PZL.43">PZL.43</a> light bombers from Poland, which due to the Spanish Civil War could not be delivered by sea and were instead shipped delayed by rail. The first aircraft entered service in the summer of 1937. The reestablished air force was satisfied with the performance of new planes and in 1938, a second order was placed for 42 PZL.43A light bombers and 12 PZL P.24F fighters, which differed from the earlier versions in having more powerful engines, stronger armament and other improvements.<sup id="cite_ref-AE39_p63_14-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AE39_p63-14"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>12<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Before the arrival of Polish aircraft, the first combat aircraft that entered Bulgarian service in 1937 were 12 <a href="/wiki/Arado_Ar_65" title="Arado Ar 65">Arado Ar 65</a> fighters, 12 <a href="/wiki/Heinkel_He_51" title="Heinkel He 51">Heinkel He 51</a> fighters, 12 <a href="/wiki/Dornier_Do_11" title="Dornier Do 11">Dornier Do 11</a> bombers and 12 <a href="/wiki/Heinkel_He_45" title="Heinkel He 45">Heinkel He 45</a>B reconnaissance aircraft. These machines were donated personally to <a href="/wiki/Boris_III_of_Bulgaria" title="Boris III of Bulgaria">Tsar Boris III</a> by <a href="/wiki/Hermann_G%C3%B6ring" title="Hermann Göring">Hermann Göring</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-ReferenceA_15-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ReferenceA-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 1937, during the traditional military parade of <a href="/wiki/St._George%27s_Day#Orthodox_countries" class="mw-redirect" title="St. George's Day">St. George's Day</a> (National Day of Bravery and of the patron-saint of the Bulgarian Armed Forces), military aircraft officially debuted as a part of the armed forces after a nearly two-decade hiatus. A month later Boris III himself presented the Bulgarian air regiments with their new combat flags at an official ceremony at Vrazhdebna Airfield.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>When the <a href="/wiki/Third_Reich" class="mw-redirect" title="Third Reich">Third Reich</a> <a href="/wiki/German_occupation_of_Czechoslovakia" class="mw-redirect" title="German occupation of Czechoslovakia">occupied</a> <a href="/wiki/Czechoslovakia" title="Czechoslovakia">Czechoslovakia</a> in 1938, the Czechoslovak air force was broken up. Bulgaria used the opportunity to acquire large numbers of ex-Czechoslovak aircraft from the Germans at a bargain price. Bulgaria purchased 78 <a href="/wiki/Avia_B-534" title="Avia B-534">Avia B-534</a> biplane fighters, 32 Avia B-71 twin-engine bombers (a license version of the <a href="/wiki/Tupolev_SB" title="Tupolev SB">Soviet SB</a> bomber), 12 <a href="/wiki/Bloch_MB.200" title="Bloch MB.200">Bloch MB.200</a> twin-engine bombers, 62 <a href="/wiki/Letov_%C5%A0-28" title="Letov Š-28">Letov Š-328</a> reconnaissance aircraft and 28 <a href="/wiki/Avia_B.122" title="Avia B.122">Avia Bs.122</a> trainers.<sup id="cite_ref-AE39_p64-5_16-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AE39_p64-5-16"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>14<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Deliveries of the second batch of Polish orders started in early 1939, with 33 PZL.43A light bombers and 8 PZL P.24F fighters delivered before the <a href="/wiki/Invasion_of_Poland" title="Invasion of Poland">German-Soviet Invasion of Poland</a> stopped deliveries (although two more PZL.43A were delivered by the Germans later).<sup id="cite_ref-AE39_p66_17-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-AE39_p66-17"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>15<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In less than 3 years the Air Force inventory had grown up to 478 aircraft of which 135 were of Bulgarian construction. </p><p>In the years 1938-1939, according to the design and with the support of the Polish <a href="/wiki/Pa%C5%84stwowe_Zak%C5%82ady_Lotnicze" title="Państwowe Zakłady Lotnicze">PZL</a>, a modern <a href="/wiki/State_Aircraft_Factory_(Bulgaria)" title="State Aircraft Factory (Bulgaria)">DSF</a> factory was built in <a href="/wiki/Lovech" title="Lovech">Lovech</a>, where new PZL P.24J fighters were to be built under license. However, these plans were thwarted by the outbreak of World War II and the factory produced mainly training planes, including the most-produced Bulgarian aircraft, the Laz-7. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="World_War_II_(1939–1945)"><span id="World_War_II_.281939.E2.80.931945.29"></span>World War II (1939–1945)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=10" title="Edit section: World War II (1939–1945)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg/220px-Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="138" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg/330px-Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg/440px-Messerschmitt_Bg.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1000" /></a><figcaption>Bulgarian Messerschmitt Bf 109s in 1944.</figcaption></figure> <p>At the beginning of <a href="/wiki/World_War_II" title="World War II">World War II</a>, the combat air fleet comprised 374 machines in various roles. In addition orders were placed for 10 <a href="/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109" title="Messerschmitt Bf 109">Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4</a> fighters, 11 <a href="/wiki/Dornier_Do_17" title="Dornier Do 17">Dornier Do 17</a>M/P bombers, 6 <a href="/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_108" class="mw-redirect" title="Messerschmitt Bf 108">Messerschmitt Bf 108</a> light liaison and utility aircraft, 24 <a href="/wiki/Arado_Ar_96" title="Arado Ar 96">Arado Ar 96</a>B-2<sup id="cite_ref-apmar72_p94_18-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-apmar72_p94-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and 14 <a href="/wiki/B%C3%BCcker_B%C3%BC_131" class="mw-redirect" title="Bücker Bü 131">Bücker-Bestmann Bü 131</a> trainers. </p><p>The Air Force order of battle comprised the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Army Aviation Orlyaks (Army Air Groups or air regiments), each attached to the correspondingly-numbered field army. Each orlyak had a fighter, a line bomber and two reconnaissance <span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><span style="font-style: normal" lang="bg-Latn">yatos</span></span> (squadrons). There was also an Independent Aviation corps, which combined the 5th Bomber and 6th Fighter Regiments. The training units consisted of the "Junker" School Orlyak at <a href="/wiki/Vrazhdebna" class="mw-redirect" title="Vrazhdebna">Vrazhdebna</a> airfield, the 2nd Training Orlyak at Telish airfield (called the Blind Flying Training School) and the 3rd Training Orlyak at <a href="/wiki/Stara_Zagora" title="Stara Zagora">Stara Zagora</a> airfield. In 1940, the Bulgarian aviation industry provided the air force with 42 <a href="/wiki/DAR_9_Siniger" title="DAR 9 Siniger">DAR 9 Siniger</a> and 45 <a href="/wiki/Caproni_Ca.113" title="Caproni Ca.113">Kaproni-Bulgarski KB-5 Chuchuliga</a> aircraft, along with preparing for serial production of the <a href="/wiki/Caproni_Ca.309" title="Caproni Ca.309">KB-6</a> – Bulgaria's first twin-engined aircraft. At year's end, the Bulgarians had 595 aircraft (of which 258 were combat aircraft) and 10,287 personnel.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Roundel_of_Bulgaria_(1941%E2%80%931944).svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281941%E2%80%931944%29.svg/160px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281941%E2%80%931944%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="160" height="160" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281941%E2%80%931944%29.svg/240px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281941%E2%80%931944%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/53/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281941%E2%80%931944%29.svg/320px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281941%E2%80%931944%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="601" data-file-height="601" /></a><figcaption>Insignia from 1941 to 1944</figcaption></figure> <p>On 1 March 1941, the <a href="/wiki/Kingdom_of_Bulgaria" class="mw-redirect" title="Kingdom of Bulgaria">Tsardom of Bulgaria</a> signed the <a href="/wiki/Tripartite_Pact" title="Tripartite Pact">Tripartite Pact</a>, becoming a formal ally of Germany.<sup id="cite_ref-apmar72_p94_18-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-apmar72_p94-18"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>16<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Under the treaty, Bulgaria allowed the use of its territory as a staging point for the invasion of Yugoslavia and Greece and some minor logistical support.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>Despite the impressive looking inventory, Bulgaria's fighter force in January 1941 consisted of only 91 machines, with just 18 of them modern Bf 109E monoplanes. A further 11 were PZL P.24B fighters, and the remainder were obsolete Avia B-534 biplanes.<sup id="cite_ref-ReferenceA_15-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ReferenceA-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The ground-based air defenses were made up of only 8 88 mm (3.5 in) and 6 20 mm (0.79 in) AA guns. To help its new ally the 12th Army of the Wehrmacht offered support with its aircraft and air defence assets and provided 8 Freya-type radars dispersed throughout the country. A dispersed observation and reporting system was gradually developed.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>The first air strike against Bulgarian targets was carried out by 4 <a href="/wiki/Yugoslavia" title="Yugoslavia">Yugoslav</a> Dornier Do 17 Kb-1 on 6 April 1941 on the city of <a href="/wiki/Kyustendil" title="Kyustendil">Kyustendil</a> and its railway station killing 47 and injuring 95, mostly civilians.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> The air strikes intensified in the following days; British <a href="/wiki/Royal_Air_Force" title="Royal Air Force">Royal Air Force</a> units based in <a href="/wiki/Greece" title="Greece">Greece</a> participated in the <a href="/wiki/Offensive_(military)" title="Offensive (military)">attacks</a> as well. At the end of April, the 2nd and 5th <a href="/wiki/Bulgaria" title="Bulgaria">Bulgarian</a> <a href="/wiki/Army" title="Army">armies</a> occupied <a href="/wiki/Greece" title="Greece">Greek</a> and <a href="/wiki/Yugoslavia" title="Yugoslavia">Yugoslav</a> territories according to an agreement with the <a href="/wiki/Third_Reich" class="mw-redirect" title="Third Reich">Third Reich</a>.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> As a part of the joint armed forces' effort on 26 June 1941 6 Avia B.71 and 9 Dornier Do 17M bombers were transferred to the Badem Chiflik airfield near <a href="/wiki/Kavala" title="Kavala">Kavala</a> (in Greece). They were tasked with <a href="/wiki/Anti-submarine_warfare" title="Anti-submarine warfare">anti-submarine</a> patrols and air support for Italian shipping over the adjacent area of the <a href="/wiki/Aegean_Sea" title="Aegean Sea">Aegean Sea</a>.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> In addition 9 Letov Š.328s based in Badem Chiflik provided the ground troops with air reconnaissance. At the Black Sea shores the "Galata" Fighter Orlyak was established at <a href="/w/index.php?title=NAS_Chaika&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="NAS Chaika (page does not exist)">NAS Chaika</a>, <a href="/wiki/Varna,_Bulgaria" title="Varna, Bulgaria">Varna</a>, with the 10 Bf 109E-4s and 6 Avia B-534s. The S.328s were also used for anti-submarine patrols over the <a href="/wiki/Black_Sea" title="Black Sea">Black Sea</a>, flying out of the <a href="/wiki/Sarafovo" title="Sarafovo">Sarafovo</a> and <a href="/wiki/Balchik" title="Balchik">Balchik</a> airfields. At the end of 1941 the inventory of His Majesty's Air Troops consisted of 609 aircraft of 40 different types.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>On 22 June 1941, <a href="/wiki/Operation_Barbarossa" title="Operation Barbarossa">Germany invaded the Soviet Union</a>, but Bulgaria refused to take part, although it did declare war with Great Britain and the United States of America in December 1941. Bulgaria's inaction against the Soviet Union meant that supplies of German aircraft slowed to a trickle, with only four aircraft delivered from January to September 1942.<sup id="cite_ref-apap72_p141_19-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-apap72_p141-19"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>17<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>The war declared by the Tsardom of Bulgaria against the US and Great Britain was a tragedy for the little country. The city of Sofia and Bulgarian towns and villages were hit by air strikes in late 1943 and in 1944. In all, 187 inhabited places were attacked, 45,000 destructive and incendiary bombs were dropped. There were about 2,000 casualties, and about 4700 wounded, 12,000 damaged or ruined buildings and the total losses were estimated at nearly 24 billion dollars. For the citizens of Sofia, the "Black" days were 14 and 24 November, 10 and 20 December 1943, and 10 January and 16, 24, 30 March and 17 April 1944 when large formations of <a href="/wiki/Boeing_B-17_Flying_Fortress" title="Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress">B-17</a> and B-24 bombers ruined parts of the capital city including the central area. The Bulgarians also see successes. On 1 August 1943, an enormous armada of about 700 American <a href="/wiki/Consolidated_B-24_Liberator" title="Consolidated B-24 Liberator">Consolidated B-24 Liberator</a> bombers flew over several Balkan countries their way to bomb "the taproot of German might", the giant oil refineries at <a href="/wiki/Ploie%C8%99ti" title="Ploiești">Ploiești</a>, Romania.<sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-20"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>18<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Termed <a href="/wiki/Operation_Tidal_Wave" title="Operation Tidal Wave">Operation Tidal Wave</a>, the aircraft flew over Bulgarian territory and Bulgarian fighter pilots Sub-lieutenant Peter Bochev (5 victories), Captain Tschudomir Toplodolski (4 victories), Lieutenant Stoyan Stoyanov (5 victories) and Sublieutenant Hristo Krastev (1 victory) inflicted heavy losses on the bombers.<sup id="cite_ref-21" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-21"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>19<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In total, about 23,000 enemy sorties were registered over Bulgaria in the years 1943–1944. Bulgarian pilots fought an enemy outnumbering them by 10 to 50 times. Some of the best pilots were Lieutenant Stoyanov, Captain Toplodolski, and Sub-Lieutenants Bochev, Cvetkov, and Damev.<sup id="cite_ref-ReferenceA_15-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-ReferenceA-15"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>13<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> 19 Bulgarian pilots died in this war against the Allies. The Allies lost 60 planes, shot down by Bulgarian fighters and about 430 airmen, 325 of which were taken as POWs.<sup id="cite_ref-22" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-22"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>20<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Reestablishment_under_the_Communist_government">Reestablishment under the Communist government</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=11" title="Edit section: Reestablishment under the Communist government"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Roundel_of_Bulgaria_(1944%E2%80%931946).svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281944%E2%80%931946%29.svg/160px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281944%E2%80%931946%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="160" height="160" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281944%E2%80%931946%29.svg/240px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281944%E2%80%931946%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f5/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281944%E2%80%931946%29.svg/320px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281944%E2%80%931946%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="600" /></a><figcaption>Insignia from 1945 to 1948</figcaption></figure> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Roundel_of_Bulgaria_(1946%E2%80%931992).svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281946%E2%80%931992%29.svg/160px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281946%E2%80%931992%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="160" height="152" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281946%E2%80%931992%29.svg/240px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281946%E2%80%931992%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e5/Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281946%E2%80%931992%29.svg/320px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria_%281946%E2%80%931992%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1750" data-file-height="1660" /></a><figcaption>Insignia from 1949 to 1992</figcaption></figure> <p>The Bulgarian Air Force, along with other branches of the Sovietized <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_People%27s_Army" title="Bulgarian People's Army">Bulgarian People's Army</a>, adopted the doctrine of the <a href="/wiki/Soviet_deep_battle" class="mw-redirect" title="Soviet deep battle">Soviet deep battle</a> during the <a href="/wiki/Cold_War" title="Cold War">Cold War</a>. The force expanded rapidly with deliveries of different types of combat aircraft. The first shipments of Soviet equipment arrived immediately after the end of World War II, mostly consisting of propeller-driven aircraft, such as the <a href="/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-2" title="Ilyushin Il-2">Ilyushin Il-2</a> (120 Il-2 and 10 Il-2U), the <a href="/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-10" title="Ilyushin Il-10">Ilyushin Il-10</a> and the <a href="/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-2" title="Tupolev Tu-2">Tupolev Tu-2</a>. By 1954, these types were being withdrawn from service, as the <a href="/wiki/Korean_War" title="Korean War">Korean War</a> marked the beginning of the jet fighter era and in 1955 a new wave of deliveries began, starting with the <a href="/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-15" title="Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15">Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-23" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-23"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>21<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> Later additions included <a href="/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-17" title="Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17">Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17</a> and <a href="/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-19" title="Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-19">MiG-19</a> fighters and <a href="/wiki/Ilyushin_Il-28" title="Ilyushin Il-28">Ilyushin Il-28</a> bombers, as well as the <a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-1" title="Mil Mi-1">Mil Mi-1</a>, the first helicopter. These aircraft were withdrawn in the 1970s, when the last wave of modernization began.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>In June 1979, the <a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-24_Hind" class="mw-redirect" title="Mil Mi-24 Hind">Mil Mi-24 Hind</a> entered service through a significant re-equipment program and boosted the capabilities of the BAF. The <a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-22" class="mw-redirect" title="Sukhoi Su-22">Sukhoi Su-22</a> and <a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25" title="Sukhoi Su-25">Su-25</a> entered service in 1988 in the strike and <a href="/wiki/Reconnaissance" title="Reconnaissance">reconnaissance</a> role. 40 Su-25K/KUBs and 21 Su-22M4/UM-3s were delivered. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="After_the_Cold_War_(1989–2004)"><span id="After_the_Cold_War_.281989.E2.80.932004.29"></span>After the Cold War (1989–2004)</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=12" title="Edit section: After the Cold War (1989–2004)"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236090951">.mw-parser-output .hatnote{font-style:italic}.mw-parser-output div.hatnote{padding-left:1.6em;margin-bottom:0.5em}.mw-parser-output .hatnote i{font-style:normal}.mw-parser-output .hatnote+link+.hatnote{margin-top:-0.5em}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .hatnote{display:none!important}}</style><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">See also: <a href="/wiki/Structure_of_the_Bulgarian_People%27s_Army_1989#Air_Forces_and_Air_Defence" class="mw-redirect" title="Structure of the Bulgarian People's Army 1989">Structure of the Bulgarian People's Army 1989 § Air Forces and Air Defence</a></div> <p>In 1993, the air regiments in Bezmer and Sadovo were experimentally transformed into "air bases" with the merger of the air regiments with the aviation-technical and airfield service battalions, that were independent from them. Around 1995 – 1996 all the air regiments were transformed into air bases (brigade equivalents) and two main commands were formed – Air Defence Command (Командване за противовъздушна отбрана), merging the two air defence divisions and the Tactical Aviation Command (Командване Тактическа Авиация), by reorganisation of the <a href="/wiki/10th_Composite_Aviation_Corps" title="10th Composite Aviation Corps">10th Composite Aviation Corps</a>,<sup id="cite_ref-24" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-24"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>22<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> called and including into it the newly transformed into air bases training regiments in Shtraklevo and Kamenets. The regiment in Dolna Mitropoliya was disbanded. </p><p>With the end of the Cold war, Bulgaria's air force reduced to 226 aircraft. All MiG-25 fighters were grounded in 1991<sup id="cite_ref-25" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-25"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>23<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and a large number of early MiG-21 variants were withdrawn from service and scrapped, with armament from the trainers for the MiG-21 and MiG-23 also being removed. In 1998, four air bases were closed down: <a href="/wiki/Gabrovnitsa_Air_Base" title="Gabrovnitsa Air Base">Gabrovnitsa Air Base</a>, <a href="/wiki/Balchik_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Balchik Air Base">Balchik Air Base</a>, <a href="/wiki/Uzundzhovo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Uzundzhovo Air Base">Uzundzhovo Air Base</a> and <a href="/wiki/Shtraklevo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Shtraklevo Air Base">Shtraklevo Air Base</a>. In 2000, further air bases were closed, with the <a href="/wiki/Stara_Zagora_Air_Base" title="Stara Zagora Air Base">Stara Zagora (which operated Mi-24s) Air Base</a> being suspended. Then, in 2001 three more bases were closed down: <a href="/wiki/Dobrich_Air_Base" title="Dobrich Air Base">Dobrich Air Base</a>, <a href="/wiki/Ravnets_Air_Base" title="Ravnets Air Base">Ravnets Air Base</a> and <a href="/wiki/Cheshnegirovo_Air_Base" title="Cheshnegirovo Air Base">Cheshnegirovo Air Base</a>. In 2003, <a href="/wiki/Dobroslavtsi_Air_Base" title="Dobroslavtsi Air Base">Dobroslavtsi Air Base</a> was also closed down and the MiG-23s were withdrawn from service as they were more expensive to run than the MiG-21s. In February 2004 the Su-22s, which were stationed first in Dobrich then in Bezmer, were withdrawn.<sup id="cite_ref-26" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-26"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>24<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Twenty-first_century">Twenty-first century</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=13" title="Edit section: Twenty-first century"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Since the early 2000s, Bulgaria has been trying actively to restructure its armed forces as a whole and a lot of attention has been placed on keeping the aging Soviet-era aircraft operational. In 2015, the last of the MiG-21s were put out of service and the attack and defence branches of the Bulgarian Air Force relied solely on MiG-29s.<sup id="cite_ref-27" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-27"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>25<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> About 16 MiG-29 fighters were modernised in order to meet <a href="/wiki/NATO" title="NATO">NATO</a> standards. In January 2011, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence issued a Request for Information (RFI) regarding the acquisition of eight multi-role fighters.<sup id="cite_ref-28" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-28"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>26<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The main competitors were expected to be the <a href="/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon" title="Eurofighter Typhoon">Eurofighter Typhoon</a>, <a href="/wiki/Dassault_Rafale" title="Dassault Rafale">Dassault Rafale</a>, <a href="/wiki/Saab_JAS_39_Gripen" title="Saab JAS 39 Gripen">Saab JAS 39 Gripen</a>, <a href="/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29" title="Mikoyan MiG-29">Mikoyan MiG-29</a> or <a href="/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-35" title="Mikoyan MiG-35">MiG-35</a>. <a href="/wiki/CAC/PAC_JF-17_Thunder" title="CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder">CAC/PAC JF-17 Thunder</a>, <a href="/wiki/Lockheed_Martin_F-16" class="mw-redirect" title="Lockheed Martin F-16">Lockheed Martin F-16</a> and <a href="/wiki/McDonnell_Douglas_F/A-18_Hornet" title="McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet">McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet</a>. On 9 March 2011 the Swedish Government submitted its response to the RFI containing eight new Gripen C/D fighters. The Ministry of Defence extended the time limit for submittal of responses by two months due to the lack of responses from the other competitors.<sup class="noprint Inline-Template Template-Fact" style="white-space:nowrap;">[<i><a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed" title="Wikipedia:Citation needed"><span title="This claim needs references to reliable sources. (April 2016)">citation needed</span></a></i>]</sup> </p><p>Modern European transport <a href="/wiki/Helicopter" title="Helicopter">helicopters</a> were ordered and purchased in 2005 and consequently 12 <a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_Cougar" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter Cougar">Eurocopter Cougar</a> helicopters (8 to provide transport and 4 <a href="/wiki/Combat_search_and_rescue" title="Combat search and rescue">CSAR</a>) joined the fleet.<sup id="cite_ref-29" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-29"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>27<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> For the Navy 3 <a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_Panther" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter Panther">Eurocopter Panther</a> were ordered and have been delivered.<sup id="cite_ref-30" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-30"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>28<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In 2006 the Bulgarian government signed a contract with <a href="/wiki/Alenia_Aeronautica" title="Alenia Aeronautica">Alenia Aeronautica</a> for the delivery of five <a href="/wiki/C-27J_Spartan" class="mw-redirect" title="C-27J Spartan">C-27J Spartan</a> <a href="/wiki/Military_transport_aircraft" title="Military transport aircraft">transport aircraft</a> in order to replace the older Soviet <a href="/wiki/An-24" class="mw-redirect" title="An-24">An-24</a> and <a href="/wiki/An-26" class="mw-redirect" title="An-26">An-26</a>. The first Spartan arrived in 2007. Subsequently. the contract changed to the delivery of only 3 aircraft and the final example arrived on 31 March 2011.<sup id="cite_ref-31" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-31"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>29<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 11 November 2016, the Bulgarian government signed a 21.8-million-euro contract for 10 MiG-29 engines (four new and six repaired), with the first pair scheduled to arrive by April 2017. The deal would eventually bring the number of active service MiG-29 aircraft from 9 to 14, as Bulgaria also announced it was looking to overhaul the fleet and buy eight new or second-hand fighter jets during the coming year.<sup id="cite_ref-32" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-32"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>30<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png/220px-BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png/330px-BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/99/BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png/440px-BAF_MiG-29s_in_flight_Garchev.png 2x" data-file-width="1149" data-file-height="760" /></a><figcaption>A squadron of MiG-29 Fulcrum-A</figcaption></figure> <p>In 2016, Bulgaria's government announced the Saab JAS 39 Gripen as the preferred candidate in the country's new combat aircraft competition. In 2016 Sofia issued a request for proposals for the purchase of eight multirole fighters, to be delivered by 2020.<sup id="cite_ref-33" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-33"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>31<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-34" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-34"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>32<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> However, a new government postponed plans of acquiring new aircraft in May 2017.<sup id="cite_ref-35" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-35"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>33<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>In October 2018, potential suppliers responded to a renewed tender for aircraft, consisting of new <a href="/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon_variants#F-16_Block_70/72" title="General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants">F-16C/D Block 70</a> aircraft from Lockheed Martin, new <a href="/wiki/Boeing_F/A-18E/F_Super_Hornet" title="Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet">F/A-18E/F Super Hornet</a> aircraft from Boeing, used <a href="/wiki/Eurofighter_Typhoon" title="Eurofighter Typhoon">Eurofighter Typhoon</a> aircraft from Italy and used <a href="/wiki/Saab_JAS_39_Gripen" title="Saab JAS 39 Gripen">Saab JAS 39 Gripen C/D</a> from Sweden. France, Germany, Israel and Portugal did not respond to requests for used Eurofighter Typhoons and F-16 variants.<sup id="cite_ref-36" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-36"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>34<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-37" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-37"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>35<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>On 16 January 2019, the Bulgarian parliament approved the government's proposal to start negotiations with the US to purchase F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft. On 3 June 2019, the U.S. State Department approved the possible sale of eight F-16 aircraft to Bulgaria. The cost of the contract was estimated at $1.67 billion. The deal was vetoed by the Bulgarian President, <a href="/wiki/Rumen_Radev" title="Rumen Radev">Rumen Radev</a> on 23 July 2019, citing the need to find a broader consensus for the deal, sending the deal back to parliament, but on 26 July the deal was again approved by parliament, overruling the veto, and this time was approved by Radev.<sup id="cite_ref-38" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-38"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>36<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In April 2020, <a href="/wiki/Lockheed_Martin" title="Lockheed Martin">Lockheed Martin</a> officially awarded by the U.S. government to produce F-16 for Bulgaria and estimated to be completed in 2027.<sup id="cite_ref-:0_39-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:0-39"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>37<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In September 2022, Bulgaria’s caretaker government announced that they will purchase of eight more fighter jets. Thus, Bulgaria will gradually receive the 16 F-16s.<sup id="cite_ref-40" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-40"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>38<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In November 2022, Bulgaria reportedly finalized an agreement to procure eight F-16s. This deal is aimed at replacing the country's aging MiG-29, which are scheduled for retirement in the coming year.<sup id="cite_ref-2ndbatchf16_41-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2ndbatchf16-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Structure">Structure</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=14" title="Edit section: Structure"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/Structure_of_the_Bulgarian_Air_Force" title="Structure of the Bulgarian Air Force">Structure of the Bulgarian Air Force</a></div> <p>Branches of the air force include: </p> <ol><li>Fighter aviation</li> <li>Fighter-bomber aviation</li> <li>Ground attack aviation</li> <li>Tactical reconnaissance aviation</li> <li>Transport aviation</li> <li>Missile aid defense troops</li> <li>Radio-technical troops</li> <li>Communications troops</li> <li>Logistics and medical troops.</li></ol> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238443738">.mw-parser-output .locmap .od{position:absolute}.mw-parser-output .locmap .id{position:absolute;line-height:0}.mw-parser-output .locmap .l0{font-size:0;position:absolute}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pv{line-height:110%;position:absolute;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pl{line-height:110%;position:absolute;top:-0.75em;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pr{line-height:110%;position:absolute;top:-0.75em;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pv>div{display:inline;padding:1px}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pl>div{display:inline;padding:1px;float:right}.mw-parser-output .locmap .pr>div{display:inline;padding:1px;float:left}@media screen{html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od .pv>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od .pl>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .od .pr>div{background:#fff!important;color:#000!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .locmap{filter:grayscale(0.6)}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data .locmap div{background:transparent!important}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .locmap{filter:grayscale(0.6)}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pv>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pl>div,html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .od .pr>div{background:white!important;color:#000!important}html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .infobox-full-data .locmap div{background:transparent!important}}</style><div class="locmap noviewer noresize thumb tright"><div class="thumbinner" style="width:562px"><div style="position:relative;width:560px;border:1px solid lightgray"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria_location_map.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Bulgarian Air Force is located in Bulgaria"><img alt="Bulgarian Air Force is located in Bulgaria" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Bulgaria_location_map.svg/560px-Bulgaria_location_map.svg.png" decoding="async" width="560" height="353" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Bulgaria_location_map.svg/840px-Bulgaria_location_map.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/ae/Bulgaria_location_map.svg/1120px-Bulgaria_location_map.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1642" data-file-height="1036" /></a></span><div class="od notheme" style="top:63.931%;left:38.44%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Graf Ignatievo"><img alt="Graf Ignatievo" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/12px-Red_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/16px-Red_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Graf_Ignatievo_Air_Base" title="Graf Ignatievo Air Base">Graf Ignatievo</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:70.673%;left:40.658%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Krumovo"><img alt="Krumovo" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pink_pog.svg/8px-Pink_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pink_pog.svg/12px-Pink_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pink_pog.svg/16px-Pink_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pr" style="width:6em;left:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Krumovo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Krumovo Air Base">Krumovo</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:58.948%;left:62.533%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Bezmer"><img alt="Bezmer" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Orange_pog.svg/8px-Orange_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Orange_pog.svg/12px-Orange_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Orange_pog.svg/16px-Orange_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Bezmer_Air_Base" title="Bezmer Air Base">Bezmer</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:28.249%;left:35.596%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base"><img alt="Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/12px-Blue_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/16px-Blue_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pr" style="width:6em;left:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Dolna_Mitropoliya_Air_Base" title="Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base">Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:51.658%;left:19.702%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Vrazhdebna"><img alt="Vrazhdebna" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/12px-Blue_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/16px-Blue_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pr" style="width:6em;left:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Vrazhdebna_Air_Base" title="Vrazhdebna Air Base">Vrazhdebna</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:51.515%;left:18.088%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Sofia"><img alt="Sofia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/8px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/12px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/16px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pv" style="width:6em;top:5px;left:-3em"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Sofia" title="Sofia">Sofia</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:49.621%;left:16.172%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Bozhurishte Bankya"><img alt="Bozhurishte Bankya" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/8px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/12px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/16px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Bozhurishte" title="Bozhurishte">Bozhurishte</a><br /><a href="/wiki/Bankya" title="Bankya">Bankya</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:29.562%;left:89.424%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Balchik"><img alt="Balchik" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steel_pog.svg/8px-Steel_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steel_pog.svg/12px-Steel_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steel_pog.svg/16px-Steel_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Balchik_Airfield" title="Balchik Airfield">Balchik</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:65.657%;left:38.725%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Trud [bg]"><img alt="Trud [bg]" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/8px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/12px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/16px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pr" style="width:6em;left:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Trud,_Bulgaria" class="mw-redirect" title="Trud, Bulgaria">Trud</a><span class="noprint" style="font-size:85%; font-style: normal;"> [<a href="https://bg.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D0%A2%D1%80%D1%83%D0%B4_(%D1%81%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%BE)" class="extiw" title="bg:Труд (село)">bg</a>]</span></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:57.576%;left:76.471%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Bratovo"><img alt="Bratovo" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/8px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/12px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/16px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Bratovo,_Burgas_Province" title="Bratovo, Burgas Province">Bratovo</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:51.515%;left:15.196%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:47.98%;left:16.422%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Kostinbrod"><img alt="Kostinbrod" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pv" style="width:6em;bottom:5px;left:-3em"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Kostinbrod" title="Kostinbrod">Kostinbrod</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:34.096%;left:86.258%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Kichevo"><img alt="Kichevo" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Kichevo,_Bulgaria" title="Kichevo, Bulgaria">Kichevo</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:59.091%;left:81.618%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Chernomorets"><img alt="Chernomorets" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pr" style="width:6em;left:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Chernomorets" title="Chernomorets">Chernomorets</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:59.596%;left:52.206%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Stara Zagora"><img alt="Stara Zagora" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Stara_Zagora" title="Stara Zagora">Stara Zagora</a></span></small></div></div></div><div class="od notheme" style="top:26.263%;left:94.608%;font-size:91%"><div class="id" style="left:-4px;top:-4px"><span class="notpageimage" typeof="mw:File"><span title="Shabla"><img alt="Shabla" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></span></span></div><div class="pl" style="width:6em;right:5px"><div style="background-color:white"><small><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/Shabla" title="Shabla">Shabla</a></span></small></div></div></div></div><div class="thumbcaption"><div class="magnify"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria_location_map.svg" title="File:Bulgaria location map.svg">class=notpageimage| </a></div>Bulgarian Air Force locations 2018:<br /><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Red_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/8px-Red_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/12px-Red_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Red_pog.svg/16px-Red_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> <a href="/wiki/MiG-29" class="mw-redirect" title="MiG-29">MiG-29A/UB</a> <span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Orange_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Orange_pog.svg/8px-Orange_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Orange_pog.svg/12px-Orange_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Orange_pog.svg/16px-Orange_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> <a href="/wiki/Su-25" class="mw-redirect" title="Su-25">Su-25K/UBK</a> <span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Pink_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pink_pog.svg/8px-Pink_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pink_pog.svg/12px-Pink_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c0/Pink_pog.svg/16px-Pink_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> Helicopters <span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Blue_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/8px-Blue_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/12px-Blue_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d7/Blue_pog.svg/16px-Blue_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> other flying units <br /> <span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Lightgreen_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/8px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/12px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Lightgreen_pog.svg/16px-Lightgreen_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> Command and Control centres <span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Purple_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/8px-Purple_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/12px-Purple_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b2/Purple_pog.svg/16px-Purple_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> Air defence missile units <span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Steel_pog.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steel_pog.svg/8px-Steel_pog.svg.png" decoding="async" width="8" height="8" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steel_pog.svg/12px-Steel_pog.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/71/Steel_pog.svg/16px-Steel_pog.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="64" data-file-height="64" /></a></span> other sites</div></div></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force,_september_01,_2012.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force%2C_september_01%2C_2012.jpg/220px-C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force%2C_september_01%2C_2012.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="119" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force%2C_september_01%2C_2012.jpg/330px-C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force%2C_september_01%2C_2012.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/68/C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force%2C_september_01%2C_2012.jpg/440px-C-27J_073_Bulgarian_Air_Force%2C_september_01%2C_2012.jpg 2x" data-file-width="3690" data-file-height="1992" /></a><figcaption><a href="/wiki/C-27J_Spartan" class="mw-redirect" title="C-27J Spartan">C-27J Spartan</a> Bulgarian Air Force</figcaption></figure> <ul><li><b>Joint Forces Command</b>, <a href="/wiki/Sofia" title="Sofia">Sofia</a> <ul><li>Military Command Center, Sofia<sup id="cite_ref-42" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-42"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>40<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> <ul><li>Air Sovereignty Operations Center, Sofia, reports to <a href="/wiki/NATO" title="NATO">NATO</a>'s <a href="/wiki/NATO_Integrated_Air_Defense_System" title="NATO Integrated Air Defense System">Integrated Air Defense System</a> CAOC Torrejón in Spain</li></ul></li> <li><b>Air Forces Command</b>, <a href="/wiki/Sofia" title="Sofia">Sofia</a> <ul><li><b>Command, Control and Surveillance Base</b> (III) <ul><li>Headquarters</li> <li>1st Control and Surveillance Zone, <a href="/wiki/Bozhurishte" title="Bozhurishte">Bozhurishte</a>, <a href="/wiki/Sofia_Province" title="Sofia Province">Sofia Province</a></li> <li>2nd Control and Surveillance Zone, Trud, <a href="/wiki/Plovdiv_Province" title="Plovdiv Province">Plovdiv Province</a></li> <li>3rd Control and Surveillance Zone, <a href="/wiki/Bratovo,_Burgas_Province" title="Bratovo, Burgas Province">Bratovo</a>, <a href="/wiki/Burgas_Province" title="Burgas Province">Burgas Province</a></li> <li>CIS and Navigation Systems Squadron, Graf Ignatievo Air Base</li> <li>CIS and Navigation Systems Squadron, Krumovo Air Base</li> <li>CIS and Navigation Systems Squadron, Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base</li> <li>Air Force Meteorological Center</li> <li>Aviation Technical Base, <a href="/wiki/Balchik_Airfield" title="Balchik Airfield">Balchik Airfield</a> (reserve airfield, former 6th Fighter Air Base)</li></ul></li> <li><b>3rd Air Base</b>, <a href="/wiki/Graf_Ignatievo_Air_Base" title="Graf Ignatievo Air Base">Graf Ignatievo Air Base</a> (X) <ul><li>Headquarters and Headquarters Services</li> <li>1st Fighter Squadron, operating 12x <a href="/wiki/MiG-29" class="mw-redirect" title="MiG-29">MiG-29</a>A, 3x <a href="/wiki/MiG-29" class="mw-redirect" title="MiG-29">MiG-29</a>UB</li> <li>Aircraft Operational Support Ground Squadron</li> <li>Maintenance and Aircraft Repair Squadron</li> <li>Maintenance and Missile Repair Squadron</li> <li>Airfield Technical Support and Supply Squadron</li></ul></li> <li><b>24th Air Base</b>, <a href="/wiki/Krumovo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Krumovo Air Base">Krumovo Air Base</a> (X) <ul><li>Headquarters and Headquarters Services</li> <li>16th Air Transport Group, <a href="/wiki/Vrazhdebna_Air_Base" title="Vrazhdebna Air Base">Vrazhdebna Air Base</a>, operating 3x <a href="/wiki/C-27J" class="mw-redirect" title="C-27J">C-27J</a>, 1x <a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12" title="Pilatus PC-12">Pilatus PC-12</a>, 2x <a href="/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet" title="Let L-410 Turbolet">Let L-410 Turbolet</a>, 1x <a href="/wiki/An-30" class="mw-redirect" title="An-30">An-30</a>, 2x <a href="/wiki/An-26" class="mw-redirect" title="An-26">An-26</a>, 1x <a href="/wiki/An-2" class="mw-redirect" title="An-2">An-2</a></li> <li>Attack Helicopter Squadron, operating 6x <a href="/wiki/Mi-24" class="mw-redirect" title="Mi-24">Mi-24</a> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Mil_Mi-24,_lateral_derecho,_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria,_marzo_de_2011.JPG" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Mil_Mi-24%2C_lateral_derecho%2C_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria%2C_marzo_de_2011.JPG/220px-Mil_Mi-24%2C_lateral_derecho%2C_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria%2C_marzo_de_2011.JPG" decoding="async" width="220" height="165" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Mil_Mi-24%2C_lateral_derecho%2C_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria%2C_marzo_de_2011.JPG/330px-Mil_Mi-24%2C_lateral_derecho%2C_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria%2C_marzo_de_2011.JPG 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/32/Mil_Mi-24%2C_lateral_derecho%2C_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria%2C_marzo_de_2011.JPG/440px-Mil_Mi-24%2C_lateral_derecho%2C_Museo_Nacional_de_Bulgaria%2C_marzo_de_2011.JPG 2x" data-file-width="3072" data-file-height="2304" /></a><figcaption>Bulgarian <a href="/wiki/Mi-24" class="mw-redirect" title="Mi-24">Mi-24</a></figcaption></figure></li> <li>2nd Transport Helicopter Squadron, operating 8x <a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_Cougar" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter Cougar">Eurocopter Cougar</a> TTH, 4x <a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_Cougar" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter Cougar">Eurocopter Cougar</a> CSAR, 3x <a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-17" title="Mil Mi-17">Mi-17</a> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:121009-A-FB952-021a_A_Bulgarian_soldier_conducts_fast-rope_insertion_training_during_Saber_Junction_2012_at_the_Joint_Multinational_Readiness_Center_in_Hohenfels,_Germany,_Oct._9,_2012.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/121009-A-FB952-021a_A_Bulgarian_soldier_conducts_fast-rope_insertion_training_during_Saber_Junction_2012_at_the_Joint_Multinational_Readiness_Center_in_Hohenfels%2C_Germany%2C_Oct._9%2C_2012.jpg/220px-thumbnail.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/121009-A-FB952-021a_A_Bulgarian_soldier_conducts_fast-rope_insertion_training_during_Saber_Junction_2012_at_the_Joint_Multinational_Readiness_Center_in_Hohenfels%2C_Germany%2C_Oct._9%2C_2012.jpg/330px-thumbnail.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/31/121009-A-FB952-021a_A_Bulgarian_soldier_conducts_fast-rope_insertion_training_during_Saber_Junction_2012_at_the_Joint_Multinational_Readiness_Center_in_Hohenfels%2C_Germany%2C_Oct._9%2C_2012.jpg/440px-thumbnail.jpg 2x" data-file-width="4164" data-file-height="2776" /></a><figcaption>Bulgarian <a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_Cougar" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter Cougar">Eurocopter Cougar</a></figcaption></figure></li> <li>Helicopter Training Flight, operating 6x <a href="/wiki/Bell_206" title="Bell 206">Bell 206</a></li> <li>(Combat) Search and Rescue Flight, a company of infantrymen and medics</li> <li>Aircraft Operational Support Ground Squadron</li> <li>Maintenance and Aircraft Repair Squadron</li> <li>Airfield Technical Support and Supply Squadron</li></ul></li> <li><b>Forward Deployment Air Base <a href="/wiki/Bezmer_Air_Base" title="Bezmer Air Base">Bezmer</a></b> (III) <ul><li>Headquarters and Headquarters Services</li> <li>1st Ground Attack Squadron, operating 3x <a href="/wiki/Su-25" class="mw-redirect" title="Su-25">Su-25</a>K, 4x <a href="/wiki/Su-25" class="mw-redirect" title="Su-25">Su-25</a>UBK<sup id="cite_ref-43" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-43"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>41<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Aircraft Operational Support Ground Squadron</li> <li>Maintenance and Aircraft Repair Squadron <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg/220px-Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="128" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg/330px-Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg/440px-Mi_17_bulgaria.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2592" data-file-height="1503" /></a><figcaption>Bulgarian <a href="/wiki/Mi-17" class="mw-redirect" title="Mi-17">Mi-17</a></figcaption></figure></li> <li>Airfield Technical Support and Supply Squadron</li></ul></li> <li><b>Training Base "<a href="/wiki/Georgi_Benkovski" title="Georgi Benkovski">Georgi Benkovski</a>"</b>, at <a href="/wiki/Dolna_Mitropoliya_Air_Base" title="Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base">Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base</a> (III) <ul><li>operating 6x <a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-9" title="Pilatus PC-9">Pilatus PC-9</a> and 6x <a href="/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros" title="Aero L-39 Albatros">Aero L-39 Albatros</a><br />(detached from the 3rd Air Base into a separate air base on 1 July 2017)<sup id="cite_ref-44" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-44"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>42<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul></li> <li><b>Missile Air Defence Base</b>, Sofia (III) <ul><li>Headquarters</li> <li>Missile Air Defence Battalion (<a href="/wiki/S-300_(missile)" class="mw-redirect" title="S-300 (missile)">S-300P</a>), <a href="/wiki/Bankya" title="Bankya">Bankya</a></li> <li>Missile Air Defence Battalion (<a href="/wiki/S-200_(missile)" class="mw-redirect" title="S-200 (missile)">S-200</a>), <a href="/wiki/Kostinbrod" title="Kostinbrod">Kostinbrod</a></li> <li>Missile Air Defence Battalion (<a href="/wiki/S-125_Neva/Pechora" title="S-125 Neva/Pechora">S125 Neva</a>), <a href="/wiki/Kichevo,_Bulgaria" title="Kichevo, Bulgaria">Kichevo</a></li> <li>Missile Air Defence Battalion (S125 Neva), <a href="/wiki/Chernomorets" title="Chernomorets">Chernomorets</a></li> <li>Mobile Missile Air Defence Battalion (<a href="/wiki/2K12_Kub" title="2K12 Kub">2K12 Kub</a>), <a href="/wiki/Stara_Zagora" title="Stara Zagora">Stara Zagora</a></li> <li>Missile Air Defence Shooting Range, <a href="/wiki/Shabla" title="Shabla">Shabla</a></li></ul></li> <li>Special Equipment Base (III), Bozhurishte suburb, Sofia</li> <li>Military Police Company of the Air Forces Command</li> <li>Air Forces Command Documentation Support Center</li></ul></li></ul></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Air_bases">Air bases</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=15" title="Edit section: Air bases"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg/220px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="139" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg/330px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dc/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg/440px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Sukhoi_Su-25UBK_Lofting.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1013" /></a><figcaption>A Su-25UBK in flight</figcaption></figure> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236090951"><div role="note" class="hatnote navigation-not-searchable">Main article: <a href="/wiki/List_of_Bulgarian_Air_Force_bases" title="List of Bulgarian Air Force bases">List of Bulgarian Air Force bases</a></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Active">Active</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=16" title="Edit section: Active"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>3rd Fighter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Graf_Ignatievo_Air_Base" title="Graf Ignatievo Air Base">Graf Ignatievo Air Base</a></li> <li>12th Training Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Dolna_Mitropoliya_Air_Base" title="Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base">Dolna Mitropoliya Air Base</a></li> <li>16th Transport Air Group - <a href="/wiki/Vrazhdebna_Air_Base" title="Vrazhdebna Air Base">Vrazhdebna Air Base</a> (military area of <a href="/wiki/Sofia_Airport" title="Sofia Airport">Sofia Airport</a>)</li> <li>22nd Forward Deployment Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Bezmer_Air_Base" title="Bezmer Air Base">Bezmer Air Base</a> (becoming a joint Bulgarian-American training facility)</li> <li>24th Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Krumovo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Krumovo Air Base">Krumovo Air Base</a> (military area of <a href="/wiki/Plovdiv_International_Airport" class="mw-redirect" title="Plovdiv International Airport">Plovdiv Airport</a>)</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading4"><h4 id="Closed">Closed</h4><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=17" title="Edit section: Closed"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>1st Fighter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Dobroslavtsi_Air_Base" title="Dobroslavtsi Air Base">Dobroslavtsi Air Base</a></li> <li>2nd Fighter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Gabrovnitsa_Air_Base" title="Gabrovnitsa Air Base">Gabrovnitsa Air Base</a></li> <li>5th Fighter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Ravnets_Air_Base" title="Ravnets Air Base">Ravnets Air Base</a></li> <li>6th Fighter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Balchik_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Balchik Air Base">Balchik Air Base</a></li> <li>11th Training Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Shtraklevo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Shtraklevo Air Base">Shtraklevo Air Base</a></li> <li>12th Training Air Base - <a href="/w/index.php?title=Kamenets_Air_Base&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Kamenets Air Base (page does not exist)">Kamenets Air Base</a></li> <li>21st Fighter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Uzundzhovo_Air_Base" class="mw-redirect" title="Uzundzhovo Air Base">Uzundzhovo Air Base</a> (formerly 4th FAB)</li> <li>23rd Helicopter Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Stara_Zagora_Air_Base" title="Stara Zagora Air Base">Stara Zagora Air Base</a></li> <li>25th Fighter-Bomber Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Cheshnegirovo_Air_Base" title="Cheshnegirovo Air Base">Cheshnegirovo Air Base</a></li> <li>26th Reconnaissance Air Base - <a href="/wiki/Dobrich_Air_Base" title="Dobrich Air Base">Dobrich Air Base</a></li> <li><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bozhurishte_Airfield&action=edit&redlink=1" class="new" title="Bozhurishte Airfield (page does not exist)">Bozhurishte Airfield</a></li> <li>The city of <a href="/wiki/Plovdiv" title="Plovdiv">Plovdiv</a> used to house the headquarters of the Tactical Aviation Command and is still a place of significance as it houses a number of logistical and operational support units of the Bulgarian Air Force.</li> <li>The city of <a href="/wiki/Burgas" title="Burgas">Burgas</a> is the place around which the 3rd Missile Air Defence Brigade of the Bulgarian Air Force is deployed.</li> <li>63rd Independent Maritime Helicopter Air Base at <a href="/wiki/Varna,_Bulgaria" title="Varna, Bulgaria">Varna</a> – <a href="/wiki/Chayka_Naval_Air_Base" title="Chayka Naval Air Base">Chayka Naval Air Base</a>, which houses the Independent Maritime Helicopter Squadron.</li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Aircraft">Aircraft</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=18" title="Edit section: Aircraft"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Except for the Navy's small helicopter fleet, the Air Force is responsible for all military aircraft in Bulgaria. The BAF plans to retire most of its Soviet-era aircraft, keeping only the <a href="/wiki/Mikoyan-Gurevich_MiG-29" class="mw-redirect" title="Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29">Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29</a> "Fulcrum" fleet which was modernized only recently, as well as its <a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-24" title="Mil Mi-24">Mil Mi-24</a> gunships and <a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25" title="Sukhoi Su-25">Sukhoi Su-25s</a>. The <a href="/wiki/MiG-21" class="mw-redirect" title="MiG-21">MiG-21s</a> in service were scheduled to be replaced with possible American or European aircraft. On 6 October 2020, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence signed an order with Ukrainian state company "Ukrinmash" for the repair and refurbishment of one <a href="/wiki/Antonov_An-30" title="Antonov An-30">Antonov An-30</a>, designed for aerial cartography, for <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_lev" title="Bulgarian lev">лв.</a> 6,200,000.<sup id="cite_ref-45" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-45"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>43<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The Ministry of Defence plans to retire the MiG-29 sometime around 2028 after the F-16s reach full operational capability.<sup id="cite_ref-46" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-46"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>44<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Current_inventory">Current inventory</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=19" title="Edit section: Current inventory"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgarian_mig-29_(altered).jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Bulgarian_mig-29_%28altered%29.jpg/220px-Bulgarian_mig-29_%28altered%29.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="125" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Bulgarian_mig-29_%28altered%29.jpg/330px-Bulgarian_mig-29_%28altered%29.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Bulgarian_mig-29_%28altered%29.jpg/440px-Bulgarian_mig-29_%28altered%29.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1614" data-file-height="919" /></a><figcaption>A MiG-29 9.12A in flight</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg/220px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="123" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg/330px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2b/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg/440px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Airbus_A319_Milinkovic.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1587" data-file-height="885" /></a><figcaption>Bulgaria's presidential flight</figcaption></figure> <figure class="mw-default-size mw-halign-right" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg/220px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="146" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg/330px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg/440px-Bulgarian_Air_Force_Mil_Mi-17_Lofting-2.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1280" data-file-height="849" /></a><figcaption>A Bulgarian Mi-17 on lift off</figcaption></figure> <table class="wikitable"> <tbody><tr> <th style="text-align:center; background:#acc;">Aircraft </th> <th style="text-align: center; background:#acc;">Origin </th> <th style="text-align:l center; background:#acc;">Type </th> <th style="text-align:left; background:#acc;">Variant </th> <th style="text-align:center; background:#acc;">In service </th> <th style="text-align: center; background:#acc;">Notes </th></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><a href="/wiki/Military_aircraft#Combat_aircraft" title="Military aircraft">Combat aircraft</a> </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29" title="Mikoyan MiG-29">MiG-29</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Soviet_Union" title="Soviet Union">Soviet Union</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Multirole_combat_aircraft" title="Multirole combat aircraft">Multirole fighter</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/MIG-29#Variants" class="mw-redirect" title="MIG-29">MiG-29 9.12A</a><hr /><a href="/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-29#Variants" title="Mikoyan MiG-29">MiG-29UB</a> </td> <td>13<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>2 used for <a href="/wiki/Trainer_aircraft#Operational_conversion" title="Trainer aircraft">conversion training</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25" title="Sukhoi Su-25">Sukhoi Su-25</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Attack_aircraft" title="Attack aircraft">Attack</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25#Variants" title="Sukhoi Su-25">Su-25K</a><hr /><a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25#Variants" title="Sukhoi Su-25">Su-25UBK</a> </td> <td>7<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>2 used for <a href="/wiki/Conversion_training" class="mw-redirect" title="Conversion training">conversion training</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon" title="General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon">F-16 Fighting Falcon</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/United_States" title="United States">United States</a> </td> <td>Multirole fighter </td> <td><a href="/wiki/General_Dynamics_F-16_Fighting_Falcon_variants#F-16_Block_70/72" title="General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon variants">F-16C/D Block 70</a><sup id="cite_ref-48" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-48"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>46<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td> <td>16 on order<sup id="cite_ref-2ndbatchf16_41-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2ndbatchf16-41"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>39<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><a href="/wiki/Military_transport_aircraft" title="Military transport aircraft">Transport</a> </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Airbus_A320_family#A319" title="Airbus A320 family">Airbus A319</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/France" title="France">France</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Air_transports_of_heads_of_state_and_government" title="Air transports of heads of state and government">VIP transport</a> </td> <td> </td> <td>1<sup id="cite_ref-Авиоотряд_28_нямал_лиценз_за_търговски_превози_49-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Авиоотряд_28_нямал_лиценз_за_търговски_превози-49"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>47<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12" title="Pilatus PC-12">Pilatus PC-12</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Switzerland" title="Switzerland">Switzerland</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Military_transport_aircraft" title="Military transport aircraft">Transport</a> / <a href="/wiki/Utility_aircraft" title="Utility aircraft">Utility</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-12#PC-12NG" title="Pilatus PC-12">PC-12NG</a> </td> <td>1<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Alenia_C-27J_Spartan" title="Alenia C-27J Spartan">Alenia C-27J</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Italy" title="Italy">Italy</a> </td> <td>Transport </td> <td> </td> <td>3<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet" title="Let L-410 Turbolet">Let L-410</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Czech_Republic" title="Czech Republic">Czech Republic</a> </td> <td>Transport </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet#Variants" title="Let L-410 Turbolet">L-410UVP-E3</a> </td> <td>2<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Antonov_An-2" title="Antonov An-2">Antonov An-2</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Transport </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Antonov_An-2#Variants" title="Antonov An-2">An-2TD </a> </td> <td>1<sup id="cite_ref-50" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-50"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>48<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Used for <a href="/wiki/Paratrooper" title="Paratrooper">paratrooper</a> training </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Antonov_An-30" title="Antonov An-30">Antonov An-30</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Surveillance_aircraft" title="Surveillance aircraft">Survelliance</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Antonov_An-30#Variants" title="Antonov An-30">An-30B</a> </td> <td>1<sup id="cite_ref-51" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-51"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>49<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Used for <a href="/wiki/Cartography" title="Cartography">aerial cartography</a> and <a href="/wiki/Surveillance" title="Surveillance">survelliance</a> </td></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><a href="/wiki/Helicopters" class="mw-redirect" title="Helicopters">Helicopters</a> </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Bell_206_JetRanger" class="mw-redirect" title="Bell 206 JetRanger">Bell 206</a> </td> <td>United States </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Utility_helicopter" title="Utility helicopter">Utility</a> </td> <td> </td> <td>6<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>4 are used for <a href="/wiki/Helicopter" title="Helicopter">rotorcraft</a> training </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Guimbal_Cabri_G2" title="Guimbal Cabri G2">Cabri G2</a> </td> <td>France </td> <td>Trainer </td> <td> </td> <td>2<sup id="cite_ref-52" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-52"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>50<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>2 received in 2024 </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-17" title="Mil Mi-17">Mil Mi-17</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Transport </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Mi-17_variants" class="mw-redirect" title="Mi-17 variants">Mi-17-1V</a> </td> <td>5<sup id="cite_ref-53" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-53"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>51<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-24" title="Mil Mi-24">Mil Mi-24</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Attack_helicopter" title="Attack helicopter">Attack</a> </td> <td>Mi-24V </td> <td>6<sup id="cite_ref-54" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-54"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>52<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>6 <a href="/wiki/Mi-24D_(Hind-D)" class="mw-redirect" title="Mi-24D (Hind-D)">Mi-24D</a> in store<sup id="cite_ref-55" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-55"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>53<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_Cougar" class="mw-redirect" title="Eurocopter Cougar">Eurocopter AS532</a> </td> <td>France </td> <td>Transport / <a href="/wiki/Combat_search_and_rescue" title="Combat search and rescue">CSAR</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Eurocopter_AS532_Cougar#Variants" title="Eurocopter AS532 Cougar">AS532AL</a> </td> <td>12<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="6"><a href="/wiki/Trainer_aircraft" title="Trainer aircraft">Trainer aircraft</a> </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros" title="Aero L-39 Albatros">Aero L-39</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Czechoslovakia" title="Czechoslovakia">Czechoslovakia</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Jet_trainer" title="Jet trainer">Jet trainer</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/L-39ZA" class="mw-redirect" title="L-39ZA">L-39ZA</a> </td> <td>5<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>1 crashed in 2024<sup id="cite_ref-56" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-56"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>54<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-9" title="Pilatus PC-9">Pilatus PC-9</a> </td> <td>Switzerland </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Trainer_aircraft" title="Trainer aircraft">Trainer</a> </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Pilatus_PC-9#Variants" title="Pilatus PC-9">PC9M</a> </td> <td>6<sup id="cite_ref-World_Air_Forces_2024_47-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-World_Air_Forces_2024-47"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>45<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Zlin_Z_42" class="mw-redirect" title="Zlin Z 42">Zlin Z 42</a> </td> <td>Czech Republic </td> <td>Trainer </td> <td>Z 242 L </td> <td>4<sup id="cite_ref-57" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-57"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>55<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td> </td></tr></tbody></table> <p>Note: Three <a href="/wiki/C-17_Globemaster_III" class="mw-redirect" title="C-17 Globemaster III">C-17 Globemaster IIIs</a> are available through the <a href="/wiki/Heavy_Airlift_Wing" title="Heavy Airlift Wing">Heavy Airlift Wing</a> based in <a href="/wiki/Hungary" title="Hungary">Hungary</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-58" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-58"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>56<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Five <a href="/wiki/Northrop_Grumman_RQ-4_Global_Hawk" title="Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk">Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawks</a> are available through the <a href="/wiki/Alliance_Ground_Surveillance" class="mw-redirect" title="Alliance Ground Surveillance">Alliance Ground Surveillance</a> (AGS) program based in Italy.<sup id="cite_ref-59" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-59"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>57<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> <table class="wikitable"> <caption> </caption> <tbody><tr> <th>Name </th> <th>Origin </th> <th>Type </th> <th>Notes </th></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4">Air defence systems </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/S-300_missile_system" title="S-300 missile system">S-300</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Long-range surface-to-air missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/S-300PMU" class="mw-redirect" title="S-300PMU">S-300PMU</a> - 8 batteries<sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/S-200_(missile)" class="mw-redirect" title="S-200 (missile)">S-200</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Long-range surface-to-air missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/S-200_Angara/Vega/Dubna" class="mw-redirect" title="S-200 Angara/Vega/Dubna">S-200 Angara</a> - 12 batteries<sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/S-75_Dvina" title="S-75 Dvina">S-75 Dvina</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Medium-range surface-to-air missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/S-75_Dvina#Major_variants" title="S-75 Dvina">S-75M3 Volhov</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/S-125_Neva/Pechora" title="S-125 Neva/Pechora">S-125</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Short-range surface-to-air missile </td> <td>S-125M </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/2K12_Kub" title="2K12 Kub">2K12 Kub</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Short-range surface-to-air missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/2K12M_Kub-M" class="mw-redirect" title="2K12M Kub-M">2k12M Kub-M</a> </td></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4">Radars </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/P-14_radar" title="P-14 radar">P-14</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>2D <a href="/wiki/Very_high_frequency" title="Very high frequency">VHF</a> Radar </td> <td>2-dimensional air search radar.<sup id="cite_ref-:02_61-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:02-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/P-18_radar" title="P-18 radar">P-18</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>2D VHF Radar </td> <td>2-dimensional air search radar.<sup id="cite_ref-:02_61-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:02-61"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>59<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/P-35_radar" title="P-35 radar">P-35</a>/37MV1 Khristo </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>2D <a href="/wiki/E_band_(NATO)" title="E band (NATO)">E band</a>/<a href="/wiki/F_band_(NATO)" title="F band (NATO)">F band</a> </td> <td>P-37MV1 Bar Lock Upgrade.<sup id="cite_ref-:03_62-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:03-62"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>60<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/ST-68U" class="extiw" title="de:ST-68U">ST-68U</a> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td><a href="/wiki/3D_radar" title="3D radar">3D radar</a> </td> <td>Used on the S-300 system.<sup id="cite_ref-:04_63-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:04-63"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>61<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4">Air-launched missiles </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/AIM-120_AMRAAM" title="AIM-120 AMRAAM">AIM-120 AMRAAM</a> </td> <td>United States </td> <td>Medium-range air-to-air missile </td> <td>35 AIM-120C-7/C-8 On Order.<sup id="cite_ref-64" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-64"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>62<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_65-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:2_66-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:2-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/R-27_(air-to-air_missile)" title="R-27 (air-to-air missile)">R-27</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Medium-range air-to-air missile </td> <td>R-27R1(AA-10 Alamo-A)<hr /><a href="/wiki/R-27_(air-to-air_missile)#Variants" title="R-27 (air-to-air missile)">R-27T1(AA-10 Alamo-B)</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/R-73_(missile)" title="R-73 (missile)">R-73</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Short-range air-to-air missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/R-73_(missile)#Variants" title="R-73 (missile)">R-73E</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td>R-3<sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Short-range air-to-air missile </td> <td>AA-2A Atoll-A<hr />AA-2A Atoll-D </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/AIM-9_Sidewinder" title="AIM-9 Sidewinder">AIM-9 Sidewinder</a> </td> <td>United States </td> <td>Short-range air-to-air missile </td> <td>44 AIM-9X Block II On Order.<sup id="cite_ref-67" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-67"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>65<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_65-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:2_66-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:2-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Kh-29" title="Kh-29">Kh-29</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-10" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Air-to-surface missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Kh-29#Variants" title="Kh-29">Kh-29L</a> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Kh-25" title="Kh-25">Kh-25</a><sup id="cite_ref-IISS2023_60-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-IISS2023-60"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>58<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td> <td>Soviet Union </td> <td>Air-to-surface missile </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Kh-25#Variants" title="Kh-25">Kh-25L</a> </td></tr> <tr> <th style="align: center; background: lavender;" colspan="4">Bombs/Guidance kit </th></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/GBU-39_Small_Diameter_Bomb" title="GBU-39 Small Diameter Bomb">GBU-39</a> </td> <td>United States </td> <td><a href="/wiki/Glide_bomb" title="Glide bomb">Glide bomb</a> </td> <td>GBU-39/B <p>56 On order.<sup id="cite_ref-68" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-68"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>66<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_65-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:2_66-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:2-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/Joint_Direct_Attack_Munition" title="Joint Direct Attack Munition">JDAM</a> </td> <td>United States </td> <td>Guidance kit </td> <td>In use with <a href="/wiki/GBU-38" class="mw-redirect" title="GBU-38">GBU-38</a> and <a href="/wiki/GBU-54" class="mw-redirect" title="GBU-54">GBU-54</a> <p>27 On order.<sup id="cite_ref-69" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-69"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>67<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:1_65-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:2_66-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:2-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p> </td></tr> <tr> <td><a href="/wiki/GBU-49" class="mw-redirect" title="GBU-49">GBU-49</a> </td> <td>United States </td> <td>Guidance kit </td> <td>27 GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II kits on order<sup id="cite_ref-:1_65-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-65"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>63<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-:2_66-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:2-66"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>64<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </td></tr></tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Future">Future</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=20" title="Edit section: Future"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li>Bulgaria considers to acquire <a href="/wiki/KAI_T-50_Golden_Eagle" title="KAI T-50 Golden Eagle">KAI F/A-50 Golden Eagle</a> aircraft possibly for replacement of <a href="/wiki/Aero_L-39_Albatros" title="Aero L-39 Albatros">L-39</a> and <a href="/wiki/Sukhoi_Su-25" title="Sukhoi Su-25">Su-25</a> fleet.<sup id="cite_ref-70" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-70"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>68<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>New variant of <a href="/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet" title="Let L-410 Turbolet">Let L-410</a> aircraft <a href="/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet#Variants" title="Let L-410 Turbolet">L-410NG</a> will be acquired in the future. Remaining aircraft will be upgraded minimum to the level of <a href="/wiki/Let_L-410_Turbolet#Variants" title="Let L-410 Turbolet">L-410UVP-E20</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-71" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-71"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>69<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>New <a href="/wiki/Attack_helicopter" title="Attack helicopter">attack helicopters</a> will be acquired as part of modernization program as replacement of <a href="/wiki/Mil_Mi-24" title="Mil Mi-24">Mil Mi-24</a> helicopters.<sup id="cite_ref-72" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-72"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>70<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>New <a href="/wiki/3D_radar" title="3D radar">3D</a> <a href="/wiki/Early-warning_radar" title="Early-warning radar">early warning radars</a> will be acquired . 5 of them are stationary and 2 of them are mobile. The companies that are participating in the competition are Israeli company <a href="/wiki/Elta_Systems" class="mw-redirect" title="Elta Systems">Elta Systems</a>, US company <a href="/wiki/Lockheed_Martin" title="Lockheed Martin">Lockheed Martin</a>, Spanish company <a href="/wiki/Indra_Sistemas" title="Indra Sistemas">Indra Sistemas</a>, French company <a href="/wiki/Thales_Group" title="Thales Group">Thales Group</a> and Italian company <a href="/wiki/Leonardo_S.p.A." class="mw-redirect" title="Leonardo S.p.A.">Leonardo S.p.A.</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-73" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-73"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>71<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Contract was signed for overhaul and partial modernization of <a href="/wiki/L-39ZA" class="mw-redirect" title="L-39ZA">L-39ZA</a> aircraft of Bulgarian Air Force by Aero. The first two aircraft to be overhauled and upgraded were delivered to Aero in January 2023, followed by two more L-39ZAs.<sup id="cite_ref-74" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-74"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>72<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Bulgaria plans to acquire <a href="/wiki/Unmanned_combat_aerial_vehicle" title="Unmanned combat aerial vehicle">unmanned combat aerial vehicles</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-75" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-75"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>73<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li> <li>Bulgarian Presidency suggests acquiring <a href="/wiki/Modular_Airborne_FireFighting_System" title="Modular Airborne FireFighting System">MAFFS II</a> for <a href="/wiki/Alenia_C-27J_Spartan" title="Alenia C-27J Spartan">C27J Spartan</a>, additional C27J and <a href="/wiki/Air_Tractor_AT-802" title="Air Tractor AT-802">AT-802F Fire Boss</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-76" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-76"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>74<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Ranks">Ranks</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=21" title="Edit section: Ranks"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Commissioned_officers">Commissioned officers</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=22" title="Edit section: Commissioned officers"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The rank insignia of <a href="/wiki/Commissioned_officer" class="mw-redirect" title="Commissioned officer">commissioned officers</a>. </p> <table style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"> <tbody><tr style="background-color:#CCCCCC; width: 100%"> <th>NATO code</th> <th colspan="2">OF-10</th> <th colspan="2">OF-9</th> <th colspan="2">OF-8</th> <th colspan="2">OF-7</th> <th colspan="2">OF-6</th> <th colspan="2">OF-5</th> <th colspan="2">OF-4</th> <th colspan="2">OF-3</th> <th colspan="2">OF-2</th> <th colspan="6">OF-1 </th></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td rowspan="2"><b><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/35px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/46px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600" /></span></span> </span><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Bulgarian Air Force</a></b><sup id="cite_ref-Bulgaria_77-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Bulgaria-77"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>75<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><br /><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1129693374">.mw-parser-output .hlist dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul{margin:0;padding:0}.mw-parser-output .hlist dd,.mw-parser-output .hlist dt,.mw-parser-output .hlist li{margin:0;display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist.inline ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist dl ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ol ul,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul dl,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ol,.mw-parser-output .hlist ul ul{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .hlist .mw-empty-li{display:none}.mw-parser-output .hlist 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href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/03/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-4.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="138" data-file-height="356" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-3.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="138" data-file-height="356" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f8/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-2.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="138" data-file-height="356" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="3"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1b.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="138" data-file-height="356" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="3"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/02/Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OF-1a.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="138" data-file-height="356" /></a></span> </td></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Генерал</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/General" class="mw-redirect" title="General">General</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Генерал-лейтенант</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Lieutenant_general" title="Lieutenant general">General-leytenant</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Генерал-майор</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Major_general" title="Major general">General-mayor</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Бригаден генерал</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Brigadier_general" title="Brigadier general">Brigaden general</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Полковник</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Polkovnik" title="Polkovnik">Polkovnik</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Подполковник</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Podpolkovnik" title="Podpolkovnik">Podpolkovnik</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Майор</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Major_(rank)" title="Major (rank)">Mayor</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Капитан</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Captain_(armed_forces)" title="Captain (armed forces)">Kapitan</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="3"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Старши лейтенант</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Senior_lieutenant" title="Senior lieutenant">Starshi leytenant</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="3"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Лейтенант</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Leytenant" class="mw-redirect" title="Leytenant">Leytenant</a></i></span> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Other_ranks">Other ranks</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=23" title="Edit section: Other ranks"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The rank insignia of <a href="/wiki/Non-commissioned_officer" title="Non-commissioned officer">non-commissioned officers</a> and <a href="/wiki/Enlisted_rank" title="Enlisted rank">enlisted personnel</a>. </p> <table style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"> <tbody><tr style="background-color:#CCCCCC;"> <th><a href="/wiki/Ranks_and_insignia_of_NATO" title="Ranks and insignia of NATO">NATO code</a></th> <th colspan="6">OR-9</th> <th colspan="2">OR-8</th> <th colspan="2">OR-7</th> <th colspan="6">OR-6</th> <th colspan="6">OR-5</th> <th colspan="4">OR-4</th> <th colspan="2">OR-3</th> <th colspan="6">OR-2</th> <th colspan="2">OR-1 </th></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <th rowspan="2"><b><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><span><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/35px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/46px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600" /></span></span> </span><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Bulgarian Air Force</a></b><sup id="cite_ref-Bulgaria_77-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-Bulgaria-77"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>75<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><br /><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul class="navbar-brackets"><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Ranks_and_Insignia_of_NATO_Air_Forces/OR/Bulgaria" title="Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Bulgaria"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Ranks_and_Insignia_of_NATO_Air_Forces/OR/Bulgaria" title="Template talk:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Bulgaria"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Ranks_and_Insignia_of_NATO_Air_Forces/OR/Bulgaria" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Ranks and Insignia of NATO Air Forces/OR/Bulgaria"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div> </th> <td colspan="6"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/23/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-9.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="138" data-file-height="356" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f4/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-8.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="129" data-file-height="333" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/12/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-7.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="129" data-file-height="333" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="6"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-6.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="129" data-file-height="333" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="6"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fd/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-5.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="129" data-file-height="333" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="4"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c9/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-4.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="129" data-file-height="333" /></a></span> </td> <td colspan="12"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg/50px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="129" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg/75px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/72/Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg/100px-Bulgaria-AirForce-OR-1.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="129" data-file-height="333" /></a></span><hr /> </td></tr> <tr style="text-align:center;"> <td colspan="6"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Офицерски кандидат</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Officer_cadet" title="Officer cadet">Ofitserski kandidat</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Старшина</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Starshina" title="Starshina">Starshyna</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="2"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Старши сержант</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Senior_sergeant" title="Senior sergeant">Starshi serzhant</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="6"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Сержант</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Sergeant" title="Sergeant">Serzhant</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="6"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Младши сержант</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Junior_sergeant" title="Junior sergeant">Mladshi serzhant</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="4"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Ефрейтор</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Gefreiter" title="Gefreiter">Efreytor</a></i></span> </td> <td colspan="12"><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><span lang="bg">Редник</span></span><br /><span title="Bulgarian-language text"><i lang="bg-Latn"><a href="/wiki/Ryadovoy" title="Ryadovoy">Rednik</a></i></span> </td></tr> </tbody></table> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=24" title="Edit section: See also"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/List_of_former_Bulgarian_military_aircraft" title="List of former Bulgarian military aircraft">List of former Bulgarian military aircraft</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/28th_Air_Detachment" class="mw-redirect" title="28th Air Detachment">28th Air Detachment</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_cosmonaut_program" title="Bulgarian cosmonaut program">Bulgarian cosmonaut program</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/List_of_joint_US-Bulgarian_military_bases" class="mw-redirect" title="List of joint US-Bulgarian military bases">List of joint US-Bulgarian military bases</a></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=25" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-12"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-12">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Bulgarian word "<span title="Bulgarian-language romanization"><i lang="bg-Latn">yato</i></span>" means a "flock of birds" and was the Bulgarian equivalent of an air force squadron at the time</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-13"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-13">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">The Bulgarian word "orlyak" means an "Air Group"</span> </li> </ol></div></div> <link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239543626"><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap mw-references-columns"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-IISS1-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-IISS1_1-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFInternational_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies2023" class="citation book cs1"><a href="/wiki/International_Institute_for_Strategic_Studies" title="International Institute for Strategic Studies">International Institute for Strategic Studies</a> (15 February 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023"><i>The Military Balance 2023</i></a>. <a href="/wiki/London" title="London">London</a>: <a href="/wiki/Routledge" title="Routledge">Routledge</a>. p. 77. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781032508955" title="Special:BookSources/9781032508955"><bdi>9781032508955</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+Military+Balance+2023&rft.place=London&rft.pages=77&rft.pub=Routledge&rft.date=2023-02-15&rft.isbn=9781032508955&rft.au=International+Institute+for+Strategic+Studies&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.iiss.org%2Fpublications%2Fthe-military-balance%2Fthe-military-balance-2023&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-mod-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-mod_2-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-mod_2-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-mod_2-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-mod_2-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.mod.bg/en/ba_vvs_history.html">"Air Force - Missions and tasks"</a>. <i>Bulgarian Ministry of Defense</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 January</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Bulgarian+Ministry+of+Defense&rft.atitle=Air+Force+-+Missions+and+tasks&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mod.bg%2Fen%2Fba_vvs_history.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.mod.bg/en/doc/biography/ba_vvs_commander_Petrov.pdf">"Major General Dimitar Hristov Petrov - Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force"</a> <span class="cs1-format">(PDF)</span>. <i>Bulgarian Ministry of Defense</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">10 January</span> 2022</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Bulgarian+Ministry+of+Defense&rft.atitle=Major+General+Dimitar+Hristov+Petrov+-+Commander+of+the+Bulgarian+Air+Force&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mod.bg%2Fen%2Fdoc%2Fbiography%2Fba_vvs_commander_Petrov.pdf&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-bulg1-4"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-3"><sup><i><b>d</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-4"><sup><i><b>e</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-5"><sup><i><b>f</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-6"><sup><i><b>g</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-7"><sup><i><b>h</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-bulg1_4-8"><sup><i><b>i</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Nedialkov, D. "Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Part I"</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-aeroflight.co.uk-5"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-aeroflight.co.uk_5-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-aeroflight.co.uk_5-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/bulgaria/af/bulgaf_narrative_history.htm">"Bulgarian Air Force History"</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171019132330/http://www.aeroflight.co.uk/waf/bulgaria/af/bulgaf_narrative_history.htm">Archived</a> from the original on 19 October 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">1 June</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Bulgarian+Air+Force+History&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aeroflight.co.uk%2Fwaf%2Fbulgaria%2Faf%2Fbulgaf_narrative_history.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-6"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-6">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Rajlich, Boshniakov and Mandjukov, 2002, p.68</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-7"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-7">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Wragg, 2002, p.21</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-8"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-8">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Nedialkov, 2001</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-9"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-9">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Tapper, 1973, p.57</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Fallschirmjaeger-10"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Fallschirmjaeger_10-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Fallschirmjaeger_10-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Rumen Kirilov, Ivan Borislavov, "The Bulgarian Aviation in the Chains of the Neuilly Peace Treaty", in: "Klub Krile Magazine", special, Vol. 11, 1999, "Air Group 2000" Publishing, Sofia, Bulgaria</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-11"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-11">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation journal cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1919/1919%20-%201282.html">"The Bulgarian Treaty"</a>. <i>Flight</i>. <b>11</b> (39): 1284. September 1919<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 May</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Flight&rft.atitle=The+Bulgarian+Treaty&rft.volume=11&rft.issue=39&rft.pages=1284&rft.date=1919-09&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flightglobal.com%2Fpdfarchive%2Fview%2F1919%2F1919%2520-%25201282.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-AE39_p63-14"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-AE39_p63_14-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green and Swanborough, 1989, p. 63.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-ReferenceA-15"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-ReferenceA_15-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-ReferenceA_15-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-ReferenceA_15-2"><sup><i><b>c</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Rajlich, Boshniakov and Mandjukov, 2002</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-AE39_p64-5-16"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-AE39_p64-5_16-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green and Swanborough, 1989, pp. 64–65.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-AE39_p66-17"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-AE39_p66_17-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Green and Swanborough, 1989, p. 66.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-apmar72_p94-18"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-apmar72_p94_18-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-apmar72_p94_18-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text">Bateson, March 1972, p. 94.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-apap72_p141-19"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-apap72_p141_19-0">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Bateson, April 1972, p. 141.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-20"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-20">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Dugan and Stewart, 2002, pp. 202-203; Stout, 2011, pp. 68-70, 180–185</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-21"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-21">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Rajlich, Boshniakov and Mandjukov, 2002, p. 75</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-22"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-22">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">Johnson, 2006, p. 134-139</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-23"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-23">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation journal cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1955/1955%20-%200604.html">"Migs in Bulgaria"</a>. <i>Flight</i>. <b>67</b> (2416): 604. 13 May 1955<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 May</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Flight&rft.atitle=Migs+in+Bulgaria&rft.volume=67&rft.issue=2416&rft.pages=604&rft.date=1955-05-13&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flightglobal.com%2Fpdfarchive%2Fview%2F1955%2F1955%2520-%25200604.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-24"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-24">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.airgroup2000.com/index.php?page=izvanredni&action=add_kom&id=16">"Tactical Aviation Corps"</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20171117123320/http://www.airgroup2000.com/index.php?page=izvanredni&action=add_kom&id=16">Archived</a> 17 November 2017 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a>, "Club Wings" magazine, Air Group 2000 publishing house, Sofia, 2001.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-25"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-25">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation journal cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1994/1994%20-%202011.html">"Air Forces of the World"</a>. <i>Flight International</i>: 33. 24–30 August 1994<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">16 May</span> 2019</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Flight+International&rft.atitle=Air+Forces+of+the+World&rft.pages=33&rft.date=1994-08-24%2F1994-08-30&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flightglobal.com%2Fpdfarchive%2Fview%2F1994%2F1994%2520-%25202011.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-26"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-26">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20070323010420/http://www.scramble.nl/bg.htm">"Bulgarian Air Force"</a>. 23 March 2007. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.scramble.nl/bg.htm">the original</a> on 23 March 2007.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Bulgarian+Air+Force&rft.date=2007-03-23&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.scramble.nl%2Fbg.htm&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-27"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-27">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flightglobal.com/picture-bulgaria-retires-last-mig-21-fighters/119217.article">"PICTURE: Bulgaria retires last MiG-21 fighters"</a>. <i>Flightglobal</i>. 29 December 2015<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">18 April</span> 2020</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Novinite&rft.atitle=Bulgaria+Gets+Last+Cougar+in+Troubled+Eurocopter+Deal&rft.date=2010-11-19&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novinite.com%2Farticles%2F122343%2FBulgaria%2BGets%2BLast%2BCougar%2Bin%2BTroubled%2BEurocopter%2BDeal&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-30"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-30">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.novinite.com/articles/129510/Bulgaria%2C+Eurocopter+Settle+Troubled+Deal+at+3+%27Panthers%27+for+Bulgarian+Navy">"Bulgaria, Eurocopter Settle Troubled Deal at 3 'Panthers' for Bulgarian Navy"</a>. <i><a href="/wiki/Novinite" title="Novinite">Novinite</a></i>. 21 June 2011<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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FlightGlobal.com. 27 April 2017. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20181209165425/https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/gripen-tops-shortlist-for-bulgarian-fighter-deal-436639/">Archived</a> from the original on 9 December 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 December</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Gripen+tops+shortlist+for+Bulgarian+fighter+deal&rft.pub=FlightGlobal.com&rft.date=2017-04-27&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.flightglobal.com%2Fnews%2Farticles%2Fgripen-tops-shortlist-for-bulgarian-fighter-deal-436639%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-34"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-34">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20170429015838/http://www.janes.com/article/69855/bulgaria-opts-for-gripen">"Bulgaria opts for Gripen | IHS Jane's 360"</a>. Archived from <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.janes.com/article/69855/bulgaria-opts-for-gripen">the original</a> on 29 April 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">29 April</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Bulgaria+opts+for+Gripen+%26%23124%3B+IHS+Jane%27s+360&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.janes.com%2Farticle%2F69855%2Fbulgaria-opts-for-gripen&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-35"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-35">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><i>Bułgarzy poczekają na myśliwce Gripen?</i>, "Lotnictwo Aviation International" nr 7/2017, p. 48 (in Polish)</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-36"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-36">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJennings2018" class="citation web cs1">Jennings, Gareth (2 October 2018). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.janes.com/article/83499/bulgaria-receives-mig-replacement-offers">"Bulgaria receives MiG replacement offers"</a>. <i>IHS Jane's 360</i>. London. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20181006140134/https://www.janes.com/article/83499/bulgaria-receives-mig-replacement-offers">Archived</a> from the original on 6 October 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 October</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=IHS+Jane%27s+360&rft.atitle=Bulgaria+receives+MiG+replacement+offers&rft.date=2018-10-02&rft.aulast=Jennings&rft.aufirst=Gareth&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.janes.com%2Farticle%2F83499%2Fbulgaria-receives-mig-replacement-offers&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-37"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-37">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/sweden-gripen-c-d-bulgarian-air-force/">"Sweden offers Gripen C/D aircraft for Bulgarian Air Force"</a>. <i>Air Force Technology</i>. 5 October 2018. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://archive.today/20181006140410/https://www.airforce-technology.com/news/sweden-gripen-c-d-bulgarian-air-force/">Archived</a> from the original on 6 October 2018<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">6 October</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Air+Force+Technology&rft.atitle=Sweden+offers+Gripen+C%2FD+aircraft+for+Bulgarian+Air+Force&rft.date=2018-10-05&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.airforce-technology.com%2Fnews%2Fsweden-gripen-c-d-bulgarian-air-force%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-38"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-38">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/bulgarian-parliament-clears-f-16v-buy-for-second-time/133717.article">"Bulgarian parliament clears F-16V buy for second time"</a>. flightglobal.com<span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">4 June</span> 2018</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=%D0%92%D0%9A%D0%A6+%26%23124%3B+%D0%A1%D1%8A%D0%B2%D0%BC%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%BD%D0%BE+%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BC%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B4%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B5+%D0%BD%D0%B0+%D1%81%D0%B8%D0%BB%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fjfc.armf.bg%2FVKTs%2F18.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-43"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-43">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/146055/bulgaria-sells-ten-su_25s-to-georgia.html">"Bulgaria sells ten Su-25s to Georgia"</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20130710200517/http://www.defense-aerospace.com/article-view/release/146055/bulgaria-sells-ten-su_25s-to-georgia.html">Archived</a> from the original on 10 July 2013<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">27 June</span> 2013</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=Bulgaria+sells+ten+Su-25s+to+Georgia&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.defense-aerospace.com%2Farticle-view%2Frelease%2F146055%2Fbulgaria-sells-ten-su_25s-to-georgia.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-44"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-44">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.aeropress-bg.com/news/bulgaria/4581-%D0%B2%D0%B2%D1%81-%D1%81-%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0">"Аеропрес - ВВС с нова авиобаза"</a>. <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20170709110509/http://www.aeropress-bg.com/news/bulgaria/4581-%D0%B2%D0%B2%D1%81-%D1%81-%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0">Archived</a> from the original on 9 July 2017<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">8 July</span> 2017</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=%D0%90%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B5%D1%81+-+%D0%92%D0%92%D0%A1+%D1%81+%D0%BD%D0%BE%D0%B2%D0%B0+%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%B0%D0%B7%D0%B0&rft_id=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.aeropress-bg.com%2Fnews%2Fbulgaria%2F4581-%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B2%25D1%2581-%25D1%2581-%25D0%25BD%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B0-%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B2%25D0%25B8%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B1%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B7%25D0%25B0&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-45"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-45">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTanex2020" class="citation web cs1">Tanex, Mario (19 October 2020). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://seenews.com/news/bulgarias-defence-min-signs-32-mln-euro-an-30-aircraft-overhaul-deal-717671">"Bulgaria's defence min signs 3.2 mln euro An-30 aircraft overhaul deal"</a>. <i>SeeNews.com</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">9 August</span> 2024</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Fakti.bg+-+%D0%94%D0%B0+%D0%B8%D0%B7%D0%B2%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B8%D0%BC+%D1%84%D0%B0%D0%BA%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%82%D0%B5+%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%8F%D0%B2%D0%B5&rft.atitle=%D0%9C%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B8%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D1%8F%D1%82+%D1%81%D1%8A%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%82+%D0%BF%D1%80%D0%B8%D0%B5+%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%BE%D0%B3%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%B0+%D0%B7%D0%B0+%D0%B8%D0%BD%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B8%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B8+%D0%B2+%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%B1%D1%80%D0%B0%D0%BD%D0%B0%D1%82%D0%B0+%D0%B4%D0%BE+2032+%D0%B3.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Ffakti.bg%2Fbulgaria%2F836161-ministerskiat-savet-prie-programa-za-investicii-v-otbranata-do-2032-g&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-73"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-73">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.capital.bg/politika_i_ikonomika/otbrana/2023/08/23/4520873_voennoto_ministerstvo_otvaria_oferti_za_novi_3d-radari/">"3D radars for Bulgarian Air Force"</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=unknown&rft.btitle=3D+radars+for+Bulgarian+Air+Force.&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.capital.bg%2Fpolitika_i_ikonomika%2Fotbrana%2F2023%2F08%2F23%2F4520873_voennoto_ministerstvo_otvaria_oferti_za_novi_3d-radari%2F&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-74"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-74">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFČervinková2023" class="citation web cs1">Červinková, Alice (18 December 2023). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.aero.cz/en/aero-signs-contract-for-overhaul-and-modernization-of-l-39-albatros-aircraft-of-the-bulgarian-air-force/">"Aero signs contract for overhaul and modernization of L-39 Albatros aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force"</a>. <i>Aero</i><span class="reference-accessdate">. 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Retrieved <span class="nowrap">30 August</span> 2024</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=Mediapool.bg&rft.atitle=%D0%9F%D1%80%D0%B5%D0%B7%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B2%D0%BE%D1%82%D0%BE+%D1%81%D0%B5+%D0%B2%D0%BA%D0%BB%D1%8E%D1%87%D0%B8+%D0%B2+%D1%81%D0%BF%D0%BE%D1%80%D0%B0+%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%B6%D0%B4%D1%83+%D0%9C%D0%9E+%D0%B8+%D0%9C%D0%92%D0%A0%3A+%D0%B4%D0%B0+%D1%81%D0%B5+%D0%BA%D1%83%D0%BF%D1%8F%D1%82+%D1%81%D0%B0%D0%BC%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%82%D0%B8%2C+%D0%BD%D0%BE+%D0%BD%D0%B5+%D0%B8+%D1%85%D0%B5%D0%BB%D0%B8%D0%BA%D0%BE%D0%BF%D1%82%D0%B5%D1%80%D0%B8&rft.date=2024-08-28&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mediapool.bg%2Fprezidentstvoto-se-vklyuchi-v-spora-mezhdu-mo-i-mvr-da-se-kupyat-samoleti-no-ne-i-helikopteri-news362525.html&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-Bulgaria-77"><span class="mw-cite-backlink">^ <a href="#cite_ref-Bulgaria_77-0"><sup><i><b>a</b></i></sup></a> <a href="#cite_ref-Bulgaria_77-1"><sup><i><b>b</b></i></sup></a></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite class="citation web cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source"><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.lex.bg/bg/laws/ldoc/2135631954">"ЗАКОН ЗА ОТБРАНАТА И ВЪОРЪЖЕНИТЕ СИЛИ НА РЕПУБЛИКА БЪЛГАРИЯ"</a>. <i>lex.bg</i> (in Bulgarian). Глава седма. ВОЕННА СЛУЖБА. 12 May 2009<span class="reference-accessdate">. Retrieved <span class="nowrap">25 May</span> 2021</span>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=unknown&rft.jtitle=lex.bg&rft.atitle=%D0%97%D0%90%D0%9A%D0%9E%D0%9D+%D0%97%D0%90+%D0%9E%D0%A2%D0%91%D0%A0%D0%90%D0%9D%D0%90%D0%A2%D0%90+%D0%98+%D0%92%D0%AA%D0%9E%D0%A0%D0%AA%D0%96%D0%95%D0%9D%D0%98%D0%A2%D0%95+%D0%A1%D0%98%D0%9B%D0%98+%D0%9D%D0%90+%D0%A0%D0%95%D0%9F%D0%A3%D0%91%D0%9B%D0%98%D0%9A%D0%90+%D0%91%D0%AA%D0%9B%D0%93%D0%90%D0%A0%D0%98%D0%AF&rft.date=2009-05-12&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lex.bg%2Fbg%2Flaws%2Fldoc%2F2135631954&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Bibliography">Bibliography</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=26" title="Edit section: Bibliography"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFAnderson2019" class="citation journal cs1 cs1-prop-foreign-lang-source">Anderson, Lennart (November–December 2019). "La renaissance de l'aviation militair bulgare dans les années vingt" [The Rebirth of Bulgarian Military Aviation in the Twenties]. <i>Avions</i> (in French) (232): 52–66. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1243-8650">1243-8650</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Avions&rft.atitle=La+renaissance+de+l%27aviation+militair+bulgare+dans+les+ann%C3%A9es+vingt&rft.issue=232&rft.pages=52-66&rft.date=2019-11%2F2019-12&rft.issn=1243-8650&rft.aulast=Anderson&rft.aufirst=Lennart&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBateson1972" class="citation journal cs1">Bateson, Richard P. (March 1972). "Bulgaria at War: Part 1: Rebirth of an Air Force". <i>Air Pictorial</i>. <b>34</b> (3): 88–94.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Air+Pictorial&rft.atitle=Bulgaria+at+War%3A+Part+1%3A+Rebirth+of+an+Air+Force&rft.volume=34&rft.issue=3&rft.pages=88-94&rft.date=1972-03&rft.aulast=Bateson&rft.aufirst=Richard+P.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBateson1972" class="citation journal cs1">Bateson, Richard P. (April 1972). "Bulgaria at War: Part 2: Into Battle". <i>Air Pictorial</i>. <b>34</b> (4): 140–143.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Air+Pictorial&rft.atitle=Bulgaria+at+War%3A+Part+2%3A+Into+Battle&rft.volume=34&rft.issue=4&rft.pages=140-143&rft.date=1972-04&rft.aulast=Bateson&rft.aufirst=Richard+P.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFBateson1972" class="citation cs2">Bateson, Richard P. (May 1972), "Bulgaria at War: Part 3: Under the Allied Onslaught; a change of sides", <i>Air Pictorial</i>, <b>34</b> (5): 177–179, 181</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Air+Pictorial&rft.atitle=Bulgaria+at+War%3A+Part+3%3A+Under+the+Allied+Onslaught%3B+a+change+of+sides&rft.volume=34&rft.issue=5&rft.pages=177-179%2C+181&rft.date=1972-05&rft.aulast=Bateson&rft.aufirst=Richard+P.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFDuganStewart2002" class="citation book cs1">Dugan, James; Stewart, Carroll (2002). <i>Ploiesti – The Great Ground-Air Battle of 1 August 1943</i>. Washington D.C.: Brassey's. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781574885101" title="Special:BookSources/9781574885101"><bdi>9781574885101</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Ploiesti+%E2%80%93+The+Great+Ground-Air+Battle+of+1+August+1943&rft.place=Washington+D.C.&rft.pub=Brassey%27s&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=9781574885101&rft.aulast=Dugan&rft.aufirst=James&rft.au=Stewart%2C+Carroll&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFGreenSwanborough1989" class="citation journal cs1">Green, William; Swanborough, Gordon (May–August 1989). "Balkan Interlude: The Bulgarian Air Arm in WWII". <i>Air Enthusiast</i>. <b>39</b>. Bromley, UK: Tri-Service Press: 58–74. <a href="/wiki/ISSN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISSN (identifier)">ISSN</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0143-5450">0143-5450</a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Ajournal&rft.genre=article&rft.jtitle=Air+Enthusiast&rft.atitle=Balkan+Interlude%3A+The+Bulgarian+Air+Arm+in+WWII&rft.volume=39&rft.pages=58-74&rft.date=1989-05%2F1989-08&rft.issn=0143-5450&rft.aulast=Green&rft.aufirst=William&rft.au=Swanborough%2C+Gordon&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><i>World Aircraft Information Files</i>. Brightstar Publishing, London. File 327 Sheet 04</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFJohnson2006" class="citation book cs1">Johnson, Robert H (2006). <i>Gidi Gidi Boom Boom</i>. Fort Worth, TX: Prairie International. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780977439003" title="Special:BookSources/9780977439003"><bdi>9780977439003</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Gidi+Gidi+Boom+Boom&rft.place=Fort+Worth%2C+TX&rft.pub=Prairie+International&rft.date=2006&rft.isbn=9780977439003&rft.aulast=Johnson&rft.aufirst=Robert+H&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNedialkov2001" class="citation book cs1">Nedialkov, Dimitar (2001). <i>Air Power of the Kingdom of Bulgaria. Part I</i>. Sofia: Fark OOD. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9549669793" title="Special:BookSources/9549669793"><bdi>9549669793</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Air+Power+of+the+Kingdom+of+Bulgaria.+Part+I&rft.place=Sofia&rft.pub=Fark+OOD&rft.date=2001&rft.isbn=9549669793&rft.aulast=Nedialkov&rft.aufirst=Dimitar&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span> (bilingual: Bulgarian/English)</li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFRajlichBoshniakovMandjukov2002" class="citation book cs1">Rajlich, Jiri; Boshniakov, Stephan; Mandjukov, Petko (2002). <i>Slovakian and Bulgarian Aces of World War 2</i>. Oxford: Osprey. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781841766522" title="Special:BookSources/9781841766522"><bdi>9781841766522</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Slovakian+and+Bulgarian+Aces+of+World+War+2&rft.place=Oxford&rft.pub=Osprey&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=9781841766522&rft.aulast=Rajlich&rft.aufirst=Jiri&rft.au=Boshniakov%2C+Stephan&rft.au=Mandjukov%2C+Petko&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFStout2011" class="citation book cs1">Stout, Jay (2011). <i>Fortress Ploesti – The Campaign to Destroy Hitler's Oil Supply</i>. Havertown, PA: Casemate. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9781935149392" title="Special:BookSources/9781935149392"><bdi>9781935149392</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Fortress+Ploesti+%E2%80%93+The+Campaign+to+Destroy+Hitler%27s+Oil+Supply&rft.place=Havertown%2C+PA&rft.pub=Casemate&rft.date=2011&rft.isbn=9781935149392&rft.aulast=Stout&rft.aufirst=Jay&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFTapper1973" class="citation book cs1">Tapper, Oliver (1973). <i>Armstrong Whitworth Aircraft since 1913</i>. London: Putnam Publishing. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780851778266" title="Special:BookSources/9780851778266"><bdi>9780851778266</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Armstrong+Whitworth+Aircraft+since+1913&rft.place=London&rft.pub=Putnam+Publishing&rft.date=1973&rft.isbn=9780851778266&rft.aulast=Tapper&rft.aufirst=Oliver&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li> <li><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFWragg2002" class="citation book cs1">Wragg, David W. (2002). <i>Air Forces of the World</i>. London: Jane's Information Group. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780007115679" title="Special:BookSources/9780007115679"><bdi>9780007115679</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Air+Forces+of+the+World&rft.place=London&rft.pub=Jane%27s+Information+Group&rft.date=2002&rft.isbn=9780007115679&rft.aulast=Wragg&rft.aufirst=David+W.&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3ABulgarian+Air+Force" class="Z3988"></span></li></ul> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Bulgarian_Air_Force&action=edit&section=27" title="Edit section: External links"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <ul><li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://airforce.mod.bg/bg/">Official website</a> <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110706212254/http://airforce.mod.bg/bg/">Archived</a> 6 July 2011 at the <a href="/wiki/Wayback_Machine" title="Wayback Machine">Wayback Machine</a></li> <li><a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="http://www.mod.bg/en/">Ministry of Defence of Bulgaria</a></li></ul> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1236075235">.mw-parser-output .navbox{box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid #a2a9b1;width:100%;clear:both;font-size:88%;text-align:center;padding:1px;margin:1em auto 0}.mw-parser-output .navbox .navbox{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox,.mw-parser-output .navbox+.navbox-styles+.navbox{margin-top:-1px}.mw-parser-output .navbox-inner,.mw-parser-output .navbox-subgroup{width:100%}.mw-parser-output .navbox-group,.mw-parser-output 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<ul><li><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/30px-War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="30" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/45px-War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3e/War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/60px-War_flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="2000" data-file-height="2000" /></a></span> <a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_Land_Forces" title="Bulgarian Land Forces">Bulgarian Land Forces</a></li> <li><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg/30px-Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="30" height="20" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg/45px-Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg/60px-Naval_Ensign_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="400" /></a></span><a href="/wiki/Bulgarian_Navy" title="Bulgarian Navy">Bulgarian Navy</a></li> <li><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg/30px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="30" height="30" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg/45px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg/60px-Roundel_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="609" data-file-height="609" /></a></span> <a class="mw-selflink 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style="color:inherit">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Allied_Air_Command" title="Template talk:Allied Air Command"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color:inherit">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Allied_Air_Command" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Allied Air Command"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color:inherit">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Allied_Air_Command" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Allied_Air_Command" title="Allied Air Command">Allied Air Command</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;">structure</th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"><a href="/wiki/Combined_Air_Operations_Centre" title="Combined Air Operations Centre">Combined Air Operations Centre</a></div></td><td class="noviewer navbox-image" rowspan="2" style="width:1px;padding:0 0 0 2px"><div><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg" class="mw-file-description" title="Coat of arms of the Allied Air Command"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg/80px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg.png" decoding="async" width="80" height="114" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg/120px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a4/Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg/160px-Coat_of_arms_of_the_Allied_Air_Command.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="302" data-file-height="432" /></a></span></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;background-color:#DCDCDC;color:inherit;"><a href="/wiki/NATO" title="NATO">NATO</a><br /><a href="/wiki/Air_force" title="Air force">air</a> and<br /><a href="/wiki/Space_force" title="Space force">space<br />forces</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Albania" title="Albania"><img alt="Albania" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Flag_of_Albania.svg/21px-Flag_of_Albania.svg.png" decoding="async" width="21" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Flag_of_Albania.svg/32px-Flag_of_Albania.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Flag_of_Albania.svg/42px-Flag_of_Albania.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="700" data-file-height="500" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Albanian_Air_Force" title="Albanian Air Force">Albanian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Belgium" title="Belgium"><img alt="Belgium" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg/35px-Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/92/Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg/45px-Flag_of_Belgium_%28civil%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Belgian_Air_Component" title="Belgian Air Component">Belgian Air Component</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Bulgaria" title="Bulgaria"><img alt="Bulgaria" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/23px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/35px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg/46px-Flag_of_Bulgaria.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a class="mw-selflink selflink">Bulgarian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Canada" title="Canada"><img alt="Canada" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg/23px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg/35px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg/46px-Flag_of_Canada_%28Pantone%29.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force" title="Royal Canadian Air Force">Royal Canadian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Croatia" title="Croatia"><img alt="Croatia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Flag_of_Croatia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Croatia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Flag_of_Croatia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Croatia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1b/Flag_of_Croatia.svg/46px-Flag_of_Croatia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Croatian_Air_Force" title="Croatian Air Force">Croatian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Czech_Republic" title="Czech Republic"><img alt="Czech Republic" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Czech_Republic.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Czech_Air_Force" title="Czech Air Force">Czech Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Denmark" title="Denmark"><img alt="Denmark" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/20px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png" decoding="async" width="20" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/31px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9c/Flag_of_Denmark.svg/40px-Flag_of_Denmark.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="387" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Royal_Danish_Air_Force" title="Royal Danish Air Force">Royal Danish Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Estonia" title="Estonia"><img alt="Estonia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Flag_of_Estonia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Estonia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Flag_of_Estonia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Estonia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8f/Flag_of_Estonia.svg/46px-Flag_of_Estonia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="990" data-file-height="630" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Estonian_Air_Force" title="Estonian Air Force">Estonian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Finland" title="Finland"><img alt="Finland" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Flag_of_Finland.svg/23px-Flag_of_Finland.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Flag_of_Finland.svg/35px-Flag_of_Finland.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bc/Flag_of_Finland.svg/46px-Flag_of_Finland.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1800" data-file-height="1100" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Finnish_Air_Force" title="Finnish Air Force">Finnish Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/France" title="France"><img alt="France" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/23px-Flag_of_France.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/35px-Flag_of_France.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/c/c3/Flag_of_France.svg/45px-Flag_of_France.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/French_Air_and_Space_Force" title="French Air and Space Force">French Air and Space Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Germany" title="Germany"><img alt="Germany" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/23px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/35px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/b/ba/Flag_of_Germany.svg/46px-Flag_of_Germany.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/German_Air_Force" title="German Air Force">German Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Greece" title="Greece"><img alt="Greece" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Greece.svg/23px-Flag_of_Greece.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Greece.svg/35px-Flag_of_Greece.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Greece.svg/45px-Flag_of_Greece.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="400" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Hellenic_Air_Force" title="Hellenic Air Force">Hellenic Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Hungary" title="Hungary"><img alt="Hungary" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Flag_of_Hungary.svg/23px-Flag_of_Hungary.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Flag_of_Hungary.svg/35px-Flag_of_Hungary.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Flag_of_Hungary.svg/46px-Flag_of_Hungary.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Hungarian_Air_Force" title="Hungarian Air Force">Hungarian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Italy" title="Italy"><img alt="Italy" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/23px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/35px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/0/03/Flag_of_Italy.svg/45px-Flag_of_Italy.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1500" data-file-height="1000" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Italian_Air_Force" title="Italian Air Force">Italian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Latvia" title="Latvia"><img alt="Latvia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Flag_of_Latvia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Latvia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Flag_of_Latvia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Latvia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Flag_of_Latvia.svg/46px-Flag_of_Latvia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Latvian_Air_Force" title="Latvian Air Force">Latvian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Lithuania" title="Lithuania"><img alt="Lithuania" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Flag_of_Lithuania.svg/23px-Flag_of_Lithuania.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Flag_of_Lithuania.svg/35px-Flag_of_Lithuania.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/Flag_of_Lithuania.svg/46px-Flag_of_Lithuania.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1000" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Lithuanian_Air_Force" title="Lithuanian Air Force">Lithuanian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Montenegro" title="Montenegro"><img alt="Montenegro" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Flag_of_Montenegro.svg/23px-Flag_of_Montenegro.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Flag_of_Montenegro.svg/35px-Flag_of_Montenegro.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/64/Flag_of_Montenegro.svg/46px-Flag_of_Montenegro.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Montenegrin_Air_Force" title="Montenegrin Air Force">Montenegrin Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Netherlands" title="Netherlands"><img alt="Netherlands" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg/45px-Flag_of_the_Netherlands.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force" title="Royal Netherlands Air Force">Royal Netherlands Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/North_Macedonia" title="North Macedonia"><img alt="North Macedonia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg/23px-Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg/35px-Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/79/Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg/46px-Flag_of_North_Macedonia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/North_Macedonia_Air_Brigade" title="North Macedonia Air Brigade">North Macedonia Air Brigade</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Norway" title="Norway"><img alt="Norway" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/21px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png" decoding="async" width="21" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/32px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d9/Flag_of_Norway.svg/41px-Flag_of_Norway.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="372" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Royal_Norwegian_Air_Force" title="Royal Norwegian Air Force">Royal Norwegian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Poland" title="Poland"><img alt="Poland" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/12/Flag_of_Poland.svg/23px-Flag_of_Poland.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/12/Flag_of_Poland.svg/35px-Flag_of_Poland.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/12/Flag_of_Poland.svg/46px-Flag_of_Poland.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1280" data-file-height="800" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Polish_Air_Force" title="Polish Air Force">Polish Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Portugal" title="Portugal"><img alt="Portugal" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/23px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/35px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/Flag_of_Portugal.svg/45px-Flag_of_Portugal.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="400" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Portuguese_Air_Force" title="Portuguese Air Force">Portuguese Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Romania" title="Romania"><img alt="Romania" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Flag_of_Romania.svg/23px-Flag_of_Romania.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Flag_of_Romania.svg/35px-Flag_of_Romania.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/73/Flag_of_Romania.svg/45px-Flag_of_Romania.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="600" data-file-height="400" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Romanian_Air_Force" title="Romanian Air Force">Romanian Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Slovakia" title="Slovakia"><img alt="Slovakia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Flag_of_Slovakia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Slovakia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Flag_of_Slovakia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Slovakia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Flag_of_Slovakia.svg/45px-Flag_of_Slovakia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="900" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Slovak_Air_Force" title="Slovak Air Force">Slovak Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Slovenia" title="Slovenia"><img alt="Slovenia" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Flag_of_Slovenia.svg/23px-Flag_of_Slovenia.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Flag_of_Slovenia.svg/35px-Flag_of_Slovenia.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f0/Flag_of_Slovenia.svg/46px-Flag_of_Slovenia.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Slovenian_Air_Force_and_Air_Defence" title="Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence">Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Spain" title="Spain"><img alt="Spain" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/23px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/35px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9a/Flag_of_Spain.svg/45px-Flag_of_Spain.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="750" data-file-height="500" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Spanish_Air_and_Space_Force" title="Spanish Air and Space Force">Spanish Air and Space Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Sweden" title="Sweden"><img alt="Sweden" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/23px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="14" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/35px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4c/Flag_of_Sweden.svg/46px-Flag_of_Sweden.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1600" data-file-height="1000" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Swedish_Air_Force" title="Swedish Air Force">Swedish Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/Turkey" title="Turkey"><img alt="Turkey" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Flag_of_Turkey.svg/23px-Flag_of_Turkey.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="15" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Flag_of_Turkey.svg/35px-Flag_of_Turkey.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b4/Flag_of_Turkey.svg/45px-Flag_of_Turkey.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="800" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Turkish_Air_Force" title="Turkish Air Force">Turkish Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/United_Kingdom" title="United Kingdom"><img alt="United Kingdom" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/ae/Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg/46px-Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a></span></span> <a href="/wiki/Royal_Air_Force" title="Royal Air Force">Royal Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="flagicon"><span class="mw-image-border" typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/United_States" title="United States"><img alt="United States" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/23px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png" decoding="async" width="23" height="12" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/35px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/a/a4/Flag_of_the_United_States.svg/46px-Flag_of_the_United_States.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1235" data-file-height="650" /></a></span></span> <ul><li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/United_States_Air_Force" title="United States Air Force">United States Air Force</a></span></li> <li><span class="nowrap"><a href="/wiki/United_States_Space_Force" title="United States Space Force">United States Space Force</a></span></li></ul></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="Air_forces_in_Europe" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Air_forces_in_Europe" title="Template:Air forces in Europe"><abbr title="View this template">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Air_forces_in_Europe" title="Template talk:Air forces in Europe"><abbr title="Discuss this template">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Air_forces_in_Europe" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Air forces in Europe"><abbr title="Edit this template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="Air_forces_in_Europe" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/Air_force" title="Air force">Air forces</a> in Europe</div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/Sovereign_state" title="Sovereign state">Sovereign states</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Albanian_Air_Force" title="Albanian Air Force">Albania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Armenian_Air_Force" title="Armenian Air Force">Armenia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Austrian_Air_Force" title="Austrian Air Force">Austria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Azerbaijani_Air_Forces" title="Azerbaijani Air Forces">Azerbaijan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Belarusian_Air_Force" title="Belarusian Air Force">Belarus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Belgian_Air_Component" title="Belgian Air Component">Belgium</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Force_and_Anti-Aircraft_Defence_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina" title="Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina">Bosnia and Herzegovina</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Bulgaria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Croatian_Air_Force" title="Croatian Air Force">Croatia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cyprus_Air_Forces" class="mw-redirect" title="Cyprus Air Forces">Cyprus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Czech_Air_Force" title="Czech Air Force">Czech Republic</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Danish_Air_Force" title="Royal Danish Air Force">Denmark</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Estonian_Air_Force" title="Estonian Air Force">Estonia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Finnish_Air_Force" title="Finnish Air Force">Finland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/French_Air_and_Space_Force" title="French Air and Space Force">France</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Georgian_Air_Force" title="Georgian Air Force">Georgia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/German_Air_Force" title="German Air Force">Germany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hellenic_Air_Force" title="Hellenic Air Force">Greece</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hungarian_Air_Force" title="Hungarian Air Force">Hungary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Irish_Air_Corps" title="Irish Air Corps">Ireland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Italian_Air_Force" title="Italian Air Force">Italy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kazakh_Air_Defense_Forces" title="Kazakh Air Defense Forces">Kazakhstan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Latvian_Air_Force" title="Latvian Air Force">Latvia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lithuanian_Air_Force" title="Lithuanian Air Force">Lithuania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Wing_of_the_Armed_Forces_of_Malta" title="Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta">Malta</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Moldovan_Air_Force" title="Moldovan Air Force">Moldova</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montenegrin_Air_Force" title="Montenegrin Air Force">Montenegro</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force" title="Royal Netherlands Air Force">Netherlands</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/North_Macedonia_Air_Brigade" title="North Macedonia Air Brigade">North Macedonia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Norwegian_Air_Force" title="Royal Norwegian Air Force">Norway</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Polish_Air_Force" title="Polish Air Force">Poland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Portuguese_Air_Force" title="Portuguese Air Force">Portugal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Romanian_Air_Force" title="Romanian Air Force">Romania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Russian_Air_Force" title="Russian Air Force">Russia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Serbian_Air_Force_and_Air_Defence" title="Serbian Air Force and Air Defence">Serbia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slovak_Air_Force" title="Slovak Air Force">Slovakia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slovenian_Air_Force_and_Air_Defence" title="Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence">Slovenia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spanish_Air_and_Space_Force" title="Spanish Air and Space Force">Spain</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Swedish_Air_Force" title="Swedish Air Force">Sweden</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Swiss_Air_Force" title="Swiss Air Force">Switzerland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Turkish_Air_Force" title="Turkish Air Force">Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ukrainian_Air_Force" title="Ukrainian Air Force">Ukraine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Air_Force" title="Royal Air Force">United Kingdom</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_states_with_limited_recognition" title="List of states with limited recognition">States with limited<br />recognition</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Abkhazian_Air_Force" title="Abkhazian Air Force">Abkhazia</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><a href="/wiki/List_of_former_sovereign_states" title="List of former sovereign states">Historical states</a></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Austro-Hungarian_Aviation_Troops" title="Austro-Hungarian Aviation Troops">Austria-Hungary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Czechoslovak_Air_Force" title="Czechoslovak Air Force">Czechoslovakia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Forces_of_the_National_People%27s_Army" title="Air Forces of the National People's Army">East Germany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Luftstreitkr%C3%A4fte" title="Luftstreitkräfte">German Empire</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Luftwaffe" title="Luftwaffe">Nazi Germany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ottoman_Aviation_Squadrons" title="Ottoman Aviation Squadrons">Ottoman Empire</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Republika_Srpska_Air_Force" title="Republika Srpska Air Force">Republika Srpska</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Imperial_Russian_Air_Service" title="Imperial Russian Air Service">Russian Empire</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Force_of_Serbia_and_Montenegro" title="Air Force of Serbia and Montenegro">Serbia and Montenegro</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Soviet_Air_Forces" title="Soviet Air Forces">Soviet Union</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yugoslav_Air_Force" title="Yugoslav Air Force">Yugoslavia</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox" aria-labelledby="List_of_air_forces" style=";wide;padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2" style="background-color:#C3D6EF;color:inherit;"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1239400231"><div class="navbar plainlinks hlist navbar-mini"><ul><li class="nv-view"><a href="/wiki/Template:Air_forces" title="Template:Air forces"><abbr title="View this template" style="color:inherit">v</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-talk"><a href="/wiki/Template_talk:Air_forces" title="Template talk:Air forces"><abbr title="Discuss this template" style="color:inherit">t</abbr></a></li><li class="nv-edit"><a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Template:Air_forces" title="Special:EditPage/Template:Air forces"><abbr title="Edit this template" style="color:inherit">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="List_of_air_forces" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/List_of_air_forces" title="List of air forces">List of</a> <a href="/wiki/Air_force" title="Air force">air forces</a></div></th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" class="navbox-list navbox-odd hlist" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Abkhazian_Air_Force" title="Abkhazian Air Force">Abkhazia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Afghan_Air_Force" title="Afghan Air Force">Afghanistan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Albanian_Air_Force" title="Albanian Air Force">Albania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Algerian_Air_Force" title="Algerian Air Force">Algeria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/National_Air_Force_of_Angola" title="National Air Force of Angola">Angola</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Antigua_and_Barbuda_Defence_Force_Air_Wing" title="Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force Air Wing">Antigua and Barbuda</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Argentine_Air_Force" title="Argentine Air Force">Argentina</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Armenian_Air_Force" title="Armenian Air Force">Armenia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Australian_Air_Force" title="Royal Australian Air Force">Australia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Austrian_Air_Force" title="Austrian Air Force">Austria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Azerbaijani_Air_Forces" title="Azerbaijani Air Forces">Azerbaijan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Bahamas_Defence_Force" title="Royal Bahamas Defence Force">Bahamas</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Bahraini_Air_Force" title="Royal Bahraini Air Force">Bahrain</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bangladesh_Air_Force" title="Bangladesh Air Force">Bangladesh</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Belarusian_Air_Force" title="Belarusian Air Force">Belarus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Belgian_Air_Component" title="Belgian Air Component">Belgium</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Belize_Defence_Force_Air_Wing" title="Belize Defence Force Air Wing">Belize</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Benin_Air_Force" title="Benin Air Force">Benin</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Bolivian_Air_Force" title="Bolivian Air Force">Bolivia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Force_and_Anti-Aircraft_Defence_of_Bosnia_and_Herzegovina" title="Air Force and Anti-Aircraft Defence of Bosnia and Herzegovina">Bosnia and Herzegovina</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Botswana_Defence_Force_Air_Wing" title="Botswana Defence Force Air Wing">Botswana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Brazilian_Air_Force" title="Brazilian Air Force">Brazil</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Brunei_Air_Force" title="Royal Brunei Air Force">Brunei</a></li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Bulgaria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Cambodian_Air_Force" title="Royal Cambodian Air Force">Cambodia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cameroon_Air_Force" title="Cameroon Air Force">Cameroon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Canadian_Air_Force" title="Royal Canadian Air Force">Canada</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Central_African_Republic_Air_Force" title="Central African Republic Air Force">Central African Republic</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chadian_Air_Force" title="Chadian Air Force">Chad</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Chilean_Air_Force" title="Chilean Air Force">Chile</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/People%27s_Liberation_Army_Air_Force" title="People's Liberation Army Air Force">China</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Colombian_Aerospace_Force" class="mw-redirect" title="Colombian Aerospace Force">Colombia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Congolese_Air_Force" title="Congolese Air Force">Congo</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Force_of_the_Democratic_Republic_of_the_Congo" title="Air Force of the Democratic Republic of the Congo">Congo DR</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Croatian_Air_Force" title="Croatian Air Force">Croatia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cuban_Revolutionary_Air_and_Air_Defense_Force" title="Cuban Revolutionary Air and Air Defense Force">Cuba</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Cyprus_Air_Command" title="Cyprus Air Command">Cyprus</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Czech_Air_Force" title="Czech Air Force">Czechia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Danish_Air_Force" title="Royal Danish Air Force">Denmark</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Djibouti_Air_Force" title="Djibouti Air Force">Djibouti</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dominican_Air_Force" title="Dominican Air Force">Dominican Republic</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ecuadorian_Air_Force" title="Ecuadorian Air Force">Ecuador</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Egyptian_Air_Force" title="Egyptian Air Force">Egypt</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Salvadoran_Air_Force" title="Salvadoran Air Force">El Salvador</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eritrean_Air_Force" title="Eritrean Air Force">Eritrea</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Estonian_Air_Force" title="Estonian Air Force">Estonia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ethiopian_Air_Force" title="Ethiopian Air Force">Ethiopia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Finnish_Air_Force" title="Finnish Air Force">Finland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/French_Air_and_Space_Force" title="French Air and Space Force">France</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Gabonese_Air_Force" title="Gabonese Air Force">Gabon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Georgian_Air_Force" title="Georgian Air Force">Georgia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/German_Air_Force" title="German Air Force">Germany</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ghana_Air_Force" title="Ghana Air Force">Ghana</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hellenic_Air_Force" title="Hellenic Air Force">Greece</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Guatemalan_Air_Force" title="Guatemalan Air Force">Guatemala</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Guinea-Bissau_Air_Force" title="Guinea-Bissau Air Force">Guinea-Bissau</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Haiti_Air_Corps" class="mw-redirect" title="Haiti Air Corps">Haiti</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Honduran_Air_Force" title="Honduran Air Force">Honduras</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Hungarian_Air_Force" title="Hungarian Air Force">Hungary</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Icelandic_Air_Policing" title="Icelandic Air Policing">Iceland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Indian_Air_Force" title="Indian Air Force">India</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Indonesian_Air_Force" title="Indonesian Air Force">Indonesia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Air_Force" title="Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force">Iran</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Iraqi_Air_Force" title="Iraqi Air Force">Iraq</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Irish_Air_Corps" title="Irish Air Corps">Ireland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Israeli_Air_Force" title="Israeli Air Force">Israel</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Italian_Air_Force" title="Italian Air Force">Italy</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Armed_Forces_of_the_Republic_of_Ivory_Coast" title="Armed Forces of the Republic of Ivory Coast">Ivory Coast</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Japan_Air_Self-Defense_Force" title="Japan Air Self-Defense Force">Japan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Jordanian_Air_Force" title="Royal Jordanian Air Force">Jordan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kazakh_Air_Defense_Forces" title="Kazakh Air Defense Forces">Kazakhstan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kenya_Air_Force" title="Kenya Air Force">Kenya</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kuwait_Air_Force" title="Kuwait Air Force">Kuwait</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kyrgyz_Air_Force" title="Kyrgyz Air Force">Kyrgyzstan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lao_People%27s_Liberation_Army_Air_Force" title="Lao People's Liberation Army Air Force">Laos</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Latvian_Air_Force" title="Latvian Air Force">Latvia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lebanese_Air_Force" title="Lebanese Air Force">Lebanon</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Liberian_Armed_Forces#Air_Force" class="mw-redirect" title="Liberian Armed Forces">Liberia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Libyan_Air_Force" title="Libyan Air Force">Libya</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Lithuanian_Air_Force" title="Lithuanian Air Force">Lithuania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Malagasy_Air_Force" title="Malagasy Air Force">Madagascar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Malaysian_Air_Force" title="Royal Malaysian Air Force">Malaysia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Malian_Air_Force" title="Malian Air Force">Mali</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Wing_of_the_Armed_Forces_of_Malta" title="Air Wing of the Armed Forces of Malta">Malta</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mauritania_Islamic_Air_Force" title="Mauritania Islamic Air Force">Mauritania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mexican_Air_Force" title="Mexican Air Force">Mexico</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Moldovan_Air_Force" title="Moldovan Air Force">Moldova</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mongolian_Air_Force" title="Mongolian Air Force">Mongolia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Montenegrin_Air_Force" title="Montenegrin Air Force">Montenegro</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Moroccan_Air_Force" title="Royal Moroccan Air Force">Morocco</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Mozambique_Air_Force" title="Mozambique Air Force">Mozambique</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Myanmar_Air_Force" title="Myanmar Air Force">Myanmar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Namibian_Air_Force" title="Namibian Air Force">Namibia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Netherlands_Air_Force" title="Royal Netherlands Air Force">Netherlands</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_New_Zealand_Air_Force" title="Royal New Zealand Air Force">New Zealand</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nicaraguan_Air_Force" title="Nicaraguan Air Force">Nicaragua</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nigerian_Air_Force" title="Nigerian Air Force">Nigeria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Korean_People%27s_Army_Air_Force" title="Korean People's Army Air Force">North Korea</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/North_Macedonia_Air_Brigade" title="North Macedonia Air Brigade">North Macedonia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Norwegian_Air_Force" title="Royal Norwegian Air Force">Norway</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Air_Force_of_Oman" title="Royal Air Force of Oman">Oman</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Pakistan_Air_Force" title="Pakistan Air Force">Pakistan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Paraguayan_Air_Force" title="Paraguayan Air Force">Paraguay</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Peruvian_Air_Force" title="Peruvian Air Force">Peru</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Philippine_Air_Force" title="Philippine Air Force">Philippines</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Polish_Air_Force" title="Polish Air Force">Poland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Portuguese_Air_Force" title="Portuguese Air Force">Portugal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Qatar_Emiri_Air_Force" title="Qatar Emiri Air Force">Qatar</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Romanian_Air_Force" title="Romanian Air Force">Romania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Russian_Air_Force" title="Russian Air Force">Russia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Rwandan_Air_Force" title="Rwandan Air Force">Rwanda</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Saudi_Air_Force" title="Royal Saudi Air Force">Saudi Arabia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Senegalese_Air_Force" title="Senegalese Air Force">Senegal</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Serbian_Air_Force_and_Air_Defence" title="Serbian Air Force and Air Defence">Serbia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Air_Force" title="Republic of Singapore Air Force">Singapore</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slovak_Air_Force" title="Slovak Air Force">Slovakia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slovenian_Air_Force_and_Air_Defence" title="Slovenian Air Force and Air Defence">Slovenia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Somali_Air_Force" title="Somali Air Force">Somalia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/South_African_Air_Force" title="South African Air Force">South Africa</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Republic_of_Korea_Air_Force" title="Republic of Korea Air Force">South Korea</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/South_Sudan_Air_Force" title="South Sudan Air Force">South Sudan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Spanish_Air_and_Space_Force" title="Spanish Air and Space Force">Spain</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Air_Force" title="Sri Lanka Air Force">Sri Lanka</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Sudanese_Air_Force" title="Sudanese Air Force">Sudan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Suriname_Air_Force" title="Suriname Air Force">Suriname</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Swedish_Air_Force" title="Swedish Air Force">Sweden</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Swiss_Air_Force" title="Swiss Air Force">Switzerland</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Syrian_Air_Force" title="Syrian Air Force">Syria</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Republic_of_China_Air_Force" title="Republic of China Air Force">Taiwan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tajik_Air_Force" title="Tajik Air Force">Tajikistan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tanzania_Air_Force_Command" title="Tanzania Air Force Command">Tanzania</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Thai_Air_Force" title="Royal Thai Air Force">Thailand</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Togolese_Armed_Forces" title="Togolese Armed Forces">Togo</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tongan_Air_Wing" title="Tongan Air Wing">Tonga</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tunisian_Air_Force" title="Tunisian Air Force">Tunisia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Turkish_Air_Force" title="Turkish Air Force">Turkey</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Turkmen_Air_Force" title="Turkmen Air Force">Turkmenistan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Uganda_Air_Force" title="Uganda Air Force">Uganda</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Ukrainian_Air_Force" title="Ukrainian Air Force">Ukraine</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/United_Arab_Emirates_Air_Force" title="United Arab Emirates Air Force">United Arab Emirates</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Royal_Air_Force" title="Royal Air Force">United Kingdom</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/United_States_Air_Force" title="United States Air Force">United States</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Uruguayan_Air_Force" title="Uruguayan Air Force">Uruguay</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Uzbekistan_Air_and_Air_Defence_Forces" title="Uzbekistan Air and Air Defence Forces">Uzbekistan</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Venezuelan_Air_Force" class="mw-redirect" title="Venezuelan Air Force">Venezuela</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Vietnam_People%27s_Air_Force" title="Vietnam People's Air Force">Vietnam</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Yemeni_Air_Force" title="Yemeni Air Force">Yemen</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Zambian_Air_Force" title="Zambian Air Force">Zambia</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Air_Force_of_Zimbabwe" title="Air Force of Zimbabwe">Zimbabwe</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table></div> <div class="navbox-styles"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1129693374"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1236075235"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1038841319">.mw-parser-output .tooltip-dotted{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}</style></div><div role="navigation" class="navbox authority-control" aria-labelledby="Authority_control_databases_frameless&#124;text-top&#124;10px&#124;alt=Edit_this_at_Wikidata&#124;link=https&#58;//www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q591198#identifiers&#124;class=noprint&#124;Edit_this_at_Wikidata" style="padding:3px"><table class="nowraplinks hlist mw-collapsible autocollapse navbox-inner" style="border-spacing:0;background:transparent;color:inherit"><tbody><tr><th scope="col" class="navbox-title" colspan="2"><div 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