MiG-29 aircraft crews from the Bulgarian Air Force (BAF) and F-16 aircraft from the Greek Air Force conducted joint training flights, the Bulgarian Air Force said on Thursday.
The main objectives training flights were related to achieving better coordination and interoperability in conducting cross-border operations in air traffic control and airspace security, as well as increasing the training of crews, the BAF explained. The actual acceptance and transfer of crew management from the relevant national Command and Reporting Centers was also carried out.
The training flights aimed to improve coordination and interoperability in cross-border air traffic control and airspace security operations, while also strengthening crew training, the Bulgarian Air Force said. The drills also included the formal handover and transfer of crew control by the relevant national Command and Reporting Centers.
Since last week, a Greek Patriot air defence system has been deployed in northern Greece, providing missile defence over a large part of Bulgaria’s territory. Two additional F-16 aircraft are strengthening the defence of Bulgaria’s airspace. Greece provided assistance to Bulgaria after the country requested reinforcement of the missile defence system due to the missiles launched from Iran towards Turkiye on March 4.
During his visit to Bulgaria on Thursday, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias said that it was Greece’s duty to respond to Bulgaria’s request to support it in meeting the threats it faces as a result of the war in Iran. Caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov thanked Dendias for the very quick response to his request.
/RY/