The Bulgarian army would receive on August 28 the first of the 12 Cougar helicopters purchased, Defence Minister Vesselin Bliznakov said.

This step was going to lay the foundation for the modernisation of the Bulgarian army, Bliznakov said.

Bulgaria also had an agreement for the supply of six Panther helicopters for the Bulgarian Marine Force, Focus news agency reported.

The army also needed modern fighter aircraft, Bliznakov said. The Defence Ministry sent letters to all international manufacturers but its financial resources were limited, said he.

In the coming two years the ministry could sign only contracts totaling less than one billion leva, Bliznakov said.

Bulgaria had to maintain control over its air space. The option to consider foreign monitoring was not acceptable, Bliznakov said.