Netherlands deploy F-35 jets to Bulgaria to boost NATO’s defenses

Europe, News April 14, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 fighter jets arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base in Bulgaria to support the Bulgarian Air Force and strengthen NATO’s defense.

The Netherlands’ fifth-generation aircraft will help the NATO ally safeguard its airspace in April and May.

According to NATO’s news release, “Authorised by a Bulgarian government decision and based on a Netherlands’ offer to NATO, the fifth-generation fighter aircraft support NATO’s collective response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. For the first time, Netherlands F-35 fighters are deployed to Bulgaria under the enhanced Air Policing mission integrating with the Alliance’s enhanced Vigilance Activities in the airspace of its eastern Allies.”

Commander of Graf Ignatievo Air Base Brigadier General Nikolay Rusev said in a statement that “Participating jointly with our colleagues from the Royal Netherlands Air Force in the implementation of the Air Policing mission with F-35 fighter jets and Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets is in the interest of the capabilities of NATO’s eastern flank countries, including the Republic of Bulgaria, to ensure air sovereignty.”

Brigadier General Rusev added that “the contribution of our joint activities is far greater: it is about building and strengthening our mutual trust as NATO Allies, adds to the exchange of professional experience, and helps expand our capacity for interaction should such a need arise.”

*^{A Royal Netherlands Air Force F-35 fighter aircraft taxiing at Graf Ignatievo, Bulgaria. (Image Credit: Royal Netherlands Air Force/via NATO)}*

Commander of the Netherlands F-35 detachment at Graf Ignatievo, Lieutenant Colonel Guido Schols said that “It is important NATO Allies stand together and I am proud that we can bring our F-35s to Bulgaria and support our Ally in safeguarding the Bulgarian airspace together.”

Earlier in 2014 and 2016, the Bulgarian Air Force jointly performed NATO Air Policing missions with the U.S. Air Force, in 2017 it performed alongside the Italian Air Force, and in 2022 the Bulgarian Air Force and the Spanish Air Force jointly performed tasks.

According to a NATO statement, “In recent years, a number of allies have helped Bulgaria and Romania to ensure the safety of their airspace. In addition to keeping the allies safe, participation in this joint mission enhances the capability and interoperability of allied air forces.”