| |
 | Cooperative Key 2003 Graf Ignatievo (Bulgaria) |
|---|
For the second time after 2001 Bulgaria hosted a Cooperative Key exercise as a part
of NATO's Partnership for Peace Programme. The exercise took place from September 1 to 13 at Graf Ignatievo and Krumovo air
bases near Plovdiv. More than 1000 participants from 20 countries with about 70 airplanes trained multinational
cooperation.
|
After the retirement of the MiG-23 and the temporary grounding of the MiG-29 fleet due to the lack of spare parts at
the moment the MiG-21bis is the sole active fighter aircraft of the Bulgarian Air Force.
|
|
A Swedish pilot gets a look inside the MiG-21bis cockpit.
|
|
Romania sent two LanceR C and one LanceR B twin-seater.
|
| What else could be seen ... |
|---|
Due to the absence of the MiG-29 and the Su-22 (of the latter only one aircraft is said to be airworthy), the Bulgarian
participation was rather limited compared to 2001.
|
Su-25 - unimpressive in the air ...
|
|
... but impressive on the ground.
|
|
L-39 with fuel tanks are a rare sight.
|
|
Four French Mirage 2000N took part in the exercise.
|
| | |