US troops, NATO and Bulgaria's military in 2026: bases, battlegroup, spending and F-16s

Bulgaria has no US-owned military bases. Under a 2006 Defence Cooperation Agreement, US forces use four Bulgarian-owned facilities jointly with the Bulgarian army, and the US presence is rotational, not permanent, according to BTA. Bulgaria also hosts a NATO multinational battlegroup at Novo Selo and, as of 2026, spends just over 2% of GDP on defence (NATO estimate).

Are there US military bases in Bulgaria?

The agreement was signed in Sofia on 28 April 2006. According to BTA’s 20th-anniversary report (April 2026), it covers the Novo Selo training range near Sliven, Bezmer air base near Yambol, Graf Ignatievo air base near Plovdiv and the Aytos storage site near Burgas. BTA says up to 2,500 US personnel may be present on rotation, with a temporary increase allowed during troop changeovers; published accounts of that surge rule differ, so the agreement text is the reference. Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told MPs in July 2026 that the agreement was made open-ended in 2016 and that any new use of the facilities needs parliament’s approval (BTA).

What is the NATO battlegroup at Novo Selo?

NATO leaders agreed on 24 March 2022 to create battlegroups in Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. The Bulgarian one is based at Novo Selo with Italy as framework nation. NATO’s page (updated 29 September 2026) lists Albania, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Türkiye and the United States as contributors, and says the battlegroups can be scaled up to brigade size. Current troop numbers are not published in the sources we checked.

Why were US tanker aircraft at Bezmer in 2026?

On 22 July 2026 parliament authorised up to eight KC-135 tankers and 250 US personnel at Bezmer from 24 July to 1 October 2026, “in support of US operations in the Middle East”, BTA reported. The vote was 136 for (121 Progressive Bulgaria, 15 DPS), 13 against (Vazrazhdane and one Progressive Bulgaria MP) and 2 abstentions; GERB-UDF, Democratic Bulgaria and PP did not vote. Prime Minister Rumen Radev said combat operations from Bulgarian territory were “absolutely out of the question”; Vazrazhdane warned of a war risk; mayors of five Yambol municipalities objected and Bezmer residents started a petition, BTA reported. Novinite reported on 1 August that the first two tankers had arrived.

How much does Bulgaria spend on defence – will it reach 5%?

According to a NATO report cited by BTA (March 2026), spending rose from 1.31% of GDP in 2014 to an estimated 2.14% in 2025. After meeting NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on 28 May 2026, Radev said Bulgaria could eventually reach 5%, Novinite reported. The government’s investment plan, reported by BNR on 15 June 2026, foresees €19 billion for equipment by 2035, spending of 2.15–2.65% of GDP in 2026–28 and 3.5% by 2035. The cabinet also approved a €3.26 billion EU SAFE defence loan with up to 10 years’ grace and 45 years’ repayment, subject to ratification (BTA, 24 June 2026).

Has Bulgaria received its F-16s?

Bulgaria ordered 16 F-16 Block 70 jets; the first eight were delivered in 2025, BTA reported. The second batch is delayed and no new date has been confirmed by the ministry. On 30 July 2026 Stoyanov said MiG-29s will fly until the F-16s are “fully operational”, calling claims of current F-16 combat patrols “to put it mildly, strange” (BTA).

What it means for Varna

The April 2026 rotation of 625 US soldiers for Atlantic Resolve arrived through Varna Airport on 8–12 April before driving to Novo Selo, the Defence Ministry said via Sofia Globe; such transfers can bring military convoys on regional roads. Varna is home to the Bulgarian Navy – see our Varna navy explainer, the Black Sea security hub story and Bulgarian politics explained. For alliance membership basics, read Is Bulgaria in NATO, the EU and Schengen?