Archive · 20 Jul 2026
Bulgaria Seeks Parliament Approval for US Tankers
Bulgaria wants to ask its parliament to allow up to eight U.S. tanker planes to be based at a military airport called Bezmer.
This is about 260 kilometers away from the capital, Sofia.
Earlier, there was some disagreement when these planes were placed at a civilian airport near Sofia.
The U.S. wants these planes in Bulgaria to help with their military work in the Middle East.
The U.S. and Iran have been having some conflicts, and Israel is also getting more refueling planes from the U.S.
Bulgaria will seek parliamentary approval for up to eight U.S. tanker aircraft to be stationed at the Bezmer military facility.
The request follows controversy over previously stationing the aircraft at a civilian airport in Sofia.
The Bezmer military base is located about 260 km southeast of Sofia.
The aircraft are intended to support U.S. military operations in the Middle East.
The U.S. and Iran have intensified strikes, raising concerns about a return to all-out war.
- Who
- Bulgaria and the United States
- What
- Bulgaria to seek parliamentary approval for U.S. tanker aircraft to be stationed at a military base
- When
- July 20
- Where
- Bezmer military facility, Bulgaria
- Why
- To support U.S. military operations in the Middle East and avoid controversy from previous civilian airport placement
- Country
- Bulgaria
- Requesting Country
- United States
- Aircraft Type
- Tanker aircraft
- Number of Aircraft
- Up to eight
- Proposed Location
- Bezmer military facility
- Distance from Sofia
- 260 km (160 miles)
- Purpose
- Support U.S. military operations in the Middle East