Bulgaria receives first two Su-25s upgraded and overhauled by Belarus

The Bulgarian Air Force (BuAF) took delivery of its first pair of Su-25 close air support aircraft that were overhauled and upgraded by and received a life extension from the 558 ARZ company in Belarus. The aircraft, one single and one twin seater, were airlifted in a disassembled state to Bezmer airbase in south-eastern Bulgaria on 21-22 September, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a press release on 23 September. The remaining six aircraft - one twin and five single seaters - are slated for delivery until the end of February 2021.

The BuAF on 21-22 September took delivery of its first pair of Su-25 close air support aircraft that were overhauled and upgraded by and received a life extension from 558 ARZ in Belarus. (BuAF/Alexander Runev)

The Bulgarian MoD signed the BGN82.5 million (USD49.2 million) contract with 558 ARZ, covering eight aircraft, in December 2018.

After the overhaul, the Su-25s are certified for a total service life of 40 years, with a life extension of 800 flight hours and 10 years of operation. The overhaul of the aircraft’s R-95Sh turbojet engines will provide a service life of 500 hours. These life extension figures will allow the BuAF to continue operating the Su-25 until 2027-28, with an option for another 10-year extension of the aircraft’s service life to 50 years, which would require another airframe and engine overhaul.