Bulgarian Government Aviation Detachment Sells Second Mi-8 Helicopter in Nine Months
SOFIA, Bulgaria – The Government Aviation Detachment 28 has completed the auction of a second Mi-8 helicopter, bringing the total revenue from the sales of the two aircraft to BGN 2,875,714.45 (approximately $1.57 million USD), according to the State Aviation Operator. The sale follows a trend of asset liquidation within the Bulgarian government’s aviation sector,spurred by maintenance costs and international sanctions.
The latest auction, finalized on October 9th, saw “Water Stone” EOOD win with a bid of BGN 1,845,774 without VAT (BGN 2,214,928.80 with VAT) for the Mi-8T, a helicopter previously used for commercial rentals and film shoots.The sale was necessitated by the exhaustion of the helicopter’s component lifespan and the inability to source replacement parts due to sanctions against Russia. This comes just nine months after the sale of a mi-8PS helicopter in January, which fetched BGN 660,785.65 with VAT for the government.
The initial tender for the Mi-8PS was announced on December 17, 2024, with an initial price of BGN 524,433 (excluding VAT). “GPS Control” EAD secured the winning bid of BGN 550,654.65 without VAT. The ongoing divestment of government aircraft extends beyond helicopters; Transport Minister Grozdan Karadjov recently announced plans to auction off the government’s Falcon jet due to its annual maintenance costs of BGN 4.4 million.
This move has garnered political support, with Delyan Peevski, chairman of “DPS-New Beginning,” proposing the complete closure of the government Air Force, citing its high operational costs despite maintaining a minimal fleet and large personnel count. Boyko Borisov, leader of GERB, has voiced his support for Peevski’s proposal.