Bulgaria's interior ministry has asked for money to buy specialised helicopters and planes to fight wildfires as part of the 2027 budget. Officials still have to decide which projects, if any, will get the money. Deputy prime minister and finance minister Galab Donev gave the update during questions in parliament.

He was answering a question from Lyuben Ivanov of Democratic Bulgaria, who asked whether the 2027 budget sets aside money for aircraft to fight forest fires. Donev said prime minister Rumen Radev has pushed for years for the state to have its own equipment to fight fires and other disasters.

"The government's commitment to this is long-term. It isn't just about one figure in the budget — it's about building lasting capacity," the finance minister said. He said ministries are still working out and discussing their proposals for the 2027 budget, and gave early details on plans by the interior ministry and the defence ministry to deal with fires.

Donev said the interior ministry has asked its Fire Safety and Civil Protection directorate to gradually buy specialised transport and firefighting equipment, including aircraft. The requests are:

  • 4 helicopters to fight forest fires, each able to carry at least 3 tonnes of water, costing around €143.2m
  • 1 firefighting helicopter with a 1-tonne water capacity, costing around €23m
  • 2 planes to fight forest fires, costing around €59.3m

Donev said the defence ministry has also asked for money for key projects, seen as part of the state's ability to respond to disasters and fires. The ministry is looking at buying small planes and equipment for aerial firefighting, with planned spending of €12m a year for each of the next three years.

It has also asked for money to maintain the Cougar helicopters and their engines. Planned spending on this is €13.6m for 2027, then €3.6m a year for 2028, 2029 and the years after that. Another key project is improving maintenance of the air force's Spartan planes, with planned spending of €14.2m a year for each of the next three years.

Donev said the figures he gave show the investment plans at this stage of drawing up the budget. The final decision on costs, and on which projects get funded, will be set out in the draft 2027 State Budget Act.