Extra money for technical support or C-27J Spartan stays on the ground

By Boyko Nikolov

SOFIA (BM) (Photo: US Army) – Bulgaria bought six C-27J Spartan aircraft six years ago, and only one is secured by the end of 2017 in order to be able to operate flights, said The Minister of The Defence of The Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Krasimir Karakachanov.

$ 17 million are needed to sign the four years technical maintenance contract with the Italian company Leonardo and to ensure the normal operation and use of the aircraft.

The problem may be the lack of proper communication between the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Finance, as Karakachanov said that money was requested by the finance ministry in June this year, but to this day has not been answered.

These airplanes are needed because they are fully used by the Bulgarian state not only for military purposes. Only a few days ago, a single C-27J Spartan plane made several flights to Albania with humanitarian aid for the flood victims.