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Bulgaria, Abandoned Russian Made Planes

Abandoned Russian made An 2 planes are located near the former and abandoned 26th Reconnaissance Air Base Dobrich is a former Bulgarian military installation near the City of Dobrich in the northeastern part of Bulgaria, some 380 km from the capital of Sofia. It was of significant importance for the nation's security, as it housed the air force's sole air reconnaissance unit. After the end of the Cold war Bulgaria's air force is limited to 226 aircraft. A large number of early MiG-21 variants were withdrawn from service and were cut for scrap. And the armament from the trainers for the MiG-21 and MiG-23 was removed. In 1998 four air bases were closed down: Gabrovnitsa, Balchick, Uzundzhovo and Shtraklevo. Then in 2000 the Stara Zagora (operating Mi-24s) air force base was closed. Then in 2001 three more bases were closed down: Dobrich, Ravnets and Cheshnegirovo. In 2003 Dobroslavtsi was closed down and the MIG-23S were withdrawn from service, because it is more expensive to run than the MIG-21 In February 2004 the SU-22 which were stationed first in Dobrich then in Bezmer, were withdrawn. The balkan country wich is the poorest country in EU joined NATO in 2004. Photo by: Emily Plamenova /Impact Press Group/NurPhoto

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