Bezmer Bombers - Bulgaria’s Sukhoi Su-25

Situated in the remote Yambol Province of Eastern Bulgaria, the 22nd Aviation Base, Bezmer, is home to the Shturmova Avio Eskadrilla, Bulgaria’s frontline ground attack-squadron. Chris Melaisi visit’s the unit to observe daily flying operations with the country’s fleet of Sukhoi Su-25 bombers.

The heavily armoured, subsonic, twin-engined Soviet ‘flying tank’ or Sukhoi Su-25 is still flying on a daily basis in the EU. Now, the last of their kind in Europe and the last Soviet-design bomber in NATO, the venerable Sukhoi Su-25K / UBK ‘Frogfoot’ of Bulgaria soldier on whilst maintaining a key role for the country on the Eastern Flank. New, Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 have started to form the backbone of Bulgaria’s future air and ground attack and defence structure from nearby Graf Ignatievo air base. For now, the country hold on to their classic Soviet jets to ensure there is no capability gap as the F-16 and its crews slowly obtain full operational responsibility.

Delivered to Bulgaria between 1986 and 1988, the country received 36 Su-25K and four twin-seat Su-25UBK. The Frogfoot provided the 22nd ShtAB (Attack Aviation Regiment) at Bezmer with two separate squadron’s, with each one consisting of 18 single-seat K’ and a pair of two-seater UBK’. Fast forward 20 years to 2008 and The Bulgarian Air Force (BuAF), after major structural reform, cost saving and the selling or operational loss of airframe’s had just 14 Frogfoot remaining on strength at Bezmer under a single squadron. Ten years later, in 2018, the BuAF signed a deal which saw 8 Frogfoot’s (6 single-seat and 2 twin-seat) be transported to Belarus to receive overhaul in a life extension programme at the 558 Aircraft Repair Plant. This new lease of life saw the Su-25 be provided with a further 800 flying hours which would see them through to the late 2020’s. The re-delivery of the upgraded aircraft occurred between 2020-2021, which also saw them procure a striking new digital camouflage paint job which is still sported in 2026. The overhaul and life extension programme saw aircraft receive major upgrades to their 1970’s era avionics suite, consisting of a new SOI-25 flight display system, representing a glass cockpit with multi-functional displays, a new Head’s Up Display, a new SN-25 navigation system and a new PS-25 weapons control system which brought new accuracy and reliability for the delivery of unguided munition.

Twin-seat Sukhoi Su-25UBK ‘002’ is seen departing the ‘last chance’ area ahead of entering runway 12. In recent years, Bezmer has undergone substantial upgrades to taxiways and ramp space but here, the original concrete design remains on this specific taxiway.

Despite being extensively upgraded, the 22nd Aviation Base Su-25’s rarely leave the country to perform in exercise or operational commitments. At 40 years old, the eight-remaining aircraft have relatively low flying hours which will see them survive until at least 2028. Frogfoot key roles include battlefield air interdiction and ground attack. Currently, aircraft support Bulgarian special forces in CAS (Close Air Support) and CSAR (Combat Search And Rescue) training missions and are also deployed to perform reconnaissance missions. The remaining 8 Frogfoot’s (single-seat: 240, 246, 249, 252, 253, 254 and twin-seat: 002 and 095) can be seen flying daily missions from Bezmer, focusing on formation flying tactics and practice munition dropping.

One of two twin-seat Su-25UBK which are on strength at the 22nd Aviation Base. Here, ‘002’ is seen having just arrived back from a local training flight.   

The replacement and removal of the Sukhoi Su-25 from Bulgaria and Europe depends on the timeline for F-16 deliveries and pilot training. In a recent interview, the Bulgarian Air Force commander, Major General Nikolay Rusev stated that the Soviet jets (Su-25 and MiG-29) will not be going anywhere until the country is ready to assign full operational duty to the F-16. Bulgaria is expected to have 12 F-16 by November 2026, with the final 4 delivered in 2027. The unique bomber will likely spend at least 2 more years in Europe, providing Bulgaria with a mission-ready, air-ground platform, which has performed in the country for 40 years.  

Su-25K ‘249’ is seen running on the Frogfoot flight line ahead of departure as ‘HAWK2’. The Bulgarian jets are powered by twin Tumansky R-95Sh turbojets.