Italian Jets Arrive in Bulgaria for Joint Air Policing: NATO

Italian Eurofighter jets are joining Bulgarian MiG-29 fighter jets for joint air policing of allied airspace over Bulgaria. Part of NATO’s enhanced air policing measures, the mission will last until October.

In addition to ensuring the safety of Bulgaria’s skies, the joint patrols will improve the ability of Bulgarian and Italian pilots to work together. According to NATO, the mission is also a demonstration of Allied solidarity.

[ Germany Leads the NATO Battlegroup in Lithuania ]

Allied aircraft regularly patrol NATO’s airspace together. In the summer of 2016, for instance, American F-15 fighter jets joined the Bulgarian Airforce for a similar mission.

Bulgaria’s MiG-29 fighter jets have been part of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System since 2004, when Bulgaria joined NATO. The system safeguards Allied airspace and its users.