Bulgaria will invite three companies to submit first bids to overhaul up to 10 MiG-29 engines, according to the public procurement register. The estimated value is up to €17m including VAT.

Invitations will go to Poland's Wojskowe Zakłady Lotnicze Nr2 S.A. and to two Bulgarian firms, Avionams AD and Aviostart OOD. The contractor will be chosen under a framework agreement lasting 48 months.

The job is a major overhaul to restore the engines. Its aim is to restore their time between overhauls and their service life between overhauls.

Earlier this year, a tender to repair MiG-29 engines was cancelled after no one applied. At the end of 2024, Bulgaria signed a contract for such repairs with the Polish state-owned company.

Bulgaria's MiG-29s were built between 1988 and 1990. Their technical life is 4,000 flight hours or 40 years, and it is running out in stages, Maj Gen Nikolay Rusev, commander of the Air Force, told BTA.

Bulgaria already has eight F-16 fighter jets, and eight more are expected in 2030.