Bulgarian Naval Aviation

Bulgarian Naval Aviation
Active 1915
Country Bulgaria
Type Air wing
Role Defence
Aircraft flown
Multirole helicopter Eurocopter AS565 Panther
Observation helicopter Mil Mi-17

The Bulgarian Naval Aviation is the naval air wing of the Bulgarian Navy.

History

Bulgarian Naval Aviation was established in 1915[1] at Chayka Naval Air Base when the Imperial German Navy based some seaplanes there. In 1918 the base and the seaplanes were transferred to Bulgaria. On 5 April 1941 it became the base for Luftwaffe floatplanes of 7 Seenotdeinstaffel. It is home to the Navy's Mi-14 helicopter unit. From 1959-1990 it was known as the Independent Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) operated Soviet aircraft for ASW and SAR duties.[2]

Current inventory and bases

Aircraft Origin Number Photo Notes
Eurocopter AS565 Panther France 2 On 9 June 2017 during a training mission of artillery fire against surface targets as a part of the "Black Sea-2017" exercise of the Bulgarian Navy, a Panther helicopter crashed in the water, killing the commander and injuring the other two officers on board.
Mil Mi-14 USSR 3 Stored in non-airworthy condition.

Retired inventory

Aircraft Origin Number Photo Notes
Kamov Ka-25 Hormone USSR 1[3]
Mil Mi-4 Hound USSR 2[4]

Bases

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bulgarian Naval Aviation". www.insigniamag.com. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  2. ↑ "Bulgarian Naval Aviation (VSNB) & Coastal Defence Units / XAIRFORCES". xairforces.net. Retrieved 2018-05-28.
  3. ↑ "Bulgarian Naval Aviation". www.aeroflight.co.uk. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
  4. ↑ Pike, John. "Bulgaria - Navy". www.globalsecurity.org. Retrieved 2018-04-23.
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