Bulgaria's parliament has approved a plan to spend $ 2 billion to buy 150 military vehicles and 16 fighter jets, which will replace Soviet-era MiG-29 aircraft.
This decision comes after the concerns of the country's military pilots, who refused to fly in Soviet aircraft for security reasons as they were outdated, thus accelerating the demands for buying new jets.
Bulgaria has joined NATO in 2004, but the question of which aircraft will replace MiG aircraft has continued for more than a decade.NATO has encouraged its eastern members to develop or buy new equipment from the alliance's Western members.
Bulgaria has said it intends to buy fighter jets from the United States, Portugal, Italy, France, Sweden and Israel.
According to the plan approved in Parliament, the jets must comply with NATO standards.
About $ 1 billion will be used to buy the first eight planes, as well as for team training and logistical support.
Bulgaria will also spend about $ 1 billion in armored cars for three infantry battalions.