https://www.shephardmedia.com/author/alexander-mladenov/News authored by Alexander Mladenoven-gbSun, 24 May 2026 03:31:05 +0000https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/training-simulation/sales-opportunities-for-advanced-trainer-jets-open-up-in-eastern-europe/Sales opportunities for advanced trainer jets open up in Eastern EuropeAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/training-simulation/sales-opportunities-for-advanced-trainer-jets-open-up-in-eastern-europe/Traininghttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/FA-50_KAI_01.jpgFollowing the Polish Air Force acquisition of 48 KAI FA-50 jets, other countries including Bulgaria, Hungary, Serbia and Slovakia could also opt for a single-type solution for advanced trainer/light attack requirements.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/bulgaria-looks-beyond-mig-29-retirement/Bulgaria looks beyond MiG-29 retirementAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/bulgaria-looks-beyond-mig-29-retirement/Air Warfarehttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/MiG-29_BuAF_Mladenov_01.jpgThe Bulgarian MoD is examining various options to retain a crucial NATO Air Policing capability for the foreseeable future, including second-hand leasing as an interim solution before the introduction of recently ordered F-16V Block 70 aircraft.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/bulgarian-t-72m-upgrade-makes-progress/Bulgarian T-72M upgrade makes headwayAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/bulgarian-t-72m-upgrade-makes-progress/Land Warfarehttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/T-72_UPG_BG.jpgWhile much attention from the defence industry has focused on the Eurosatory 2022 exhibition in Paris, the smaller Hemus event in Bulgaria delivered its share of news earlier this month.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/iag-unveils-vastly-improved-rila-8x8/IAG unveils vastly improved Rila 8x8Alexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/iag-unveils-vastly-improved-rila-8x8/Land Warfarehttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/Rila_AFV_Grozev_01.jpgA new-look Rila armoured vehicle will be offered for the Bulgarian 8x8 IFV procurement programme, says manufacturer International Armored Group.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/bulgarian-procurement-ambitions-blend-old-plans-wi/Bulgarian procurement ambitions blend old plans with new projectsAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/bulgarian-procurement-ambitions-blend-old-plans-wi/Defence Noteshttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/T-72_Bulgaria_Mladenov.jpgUndaunted by previous problems in attempting to acquire F-16s and IFVs, Bulgaria has unveiled an ambitious new set of procurement priorities.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/russia-flexes-surge-capability-muscles-analysis/Russia flexes surge capability muscles (Analysis)Alexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/russia-flexes-surge-capability-muscles-analysis/Defence Noteshttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/Kaz_01.jpgThe recent ten-day deployment of ‘peacekeeping’ troops to Kazakhstan reflects recent and ongoing efforts to enhance Russian airborne capabilities — should Ukraine be worried?https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/serbia-looks-west-and-east-to-strengthen-air-force/Serbia looks west and east to strengthen air forceAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/serbia-looks-west-and-east-to-strengthen-air-force/Air Warfarehttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/03_Serbia_MoD.jpgA plan by Serbia to procure C295M airlifters takes shape amid moves to procure more helicopters from Russia.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/russian-pacific-fleet-welcomes-third-project-6363/Russian Pacific Fleet welcomes third Project 636.3 submarineAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/russian-pacific-fleet-welcomes-third-project-6363/Naval Warfarehttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/Magadan_sub_01.jpgThe Improved Kilo-II class submarine Magadan has been commissioned into the Russian Pacific Fleet.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/greek-procurement-surge-shows-no-sign-of-abating/Greek procurement surge shows no sign of abatingAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/greek-procurement-surge-shows-no-sign-of-abating/Defence Noteshttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/Elli.jpgMore fighter aircraft and naval vessels are in the offing for Greece as part of its 2020-2025 procurement programme – but the latter is a more complex issue than the former.https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/next-steps-unclear-for-new-serbian-ifv/Next steps unclear for new Serbian IFVAlexander Mladenovhttps://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/next-steps-unclear-for-new-serbian-ifv/Land Warfarehttps://www.shephardmedia.com/media/images/article/Serb2-a.jpgWho will be the launch customer for the Lazanski 8x8 vehicle?