Bulgaria Defense Minister Refutes PM on 'Desert-Only' Helicopters

The Bulgarian army's 12 Cougar rescue helicopters are fit to be used in all seasons, the country's Defense Minister Anyu Angelov has clarified, thus refuting Prime Minister Boyko Borisov's opinion.

The Cougar helicopters available in Bulgaria are certified to participate in missions in the temperature range of -30 ° C to 50 ° C, Angelov explained on Friday, as cited by the BGNES news agency.

On Monday, PM Boyko Borisov claimed that the Cougar helicopters purchased by Bulgaria were not equipped with any form of anti-icing or de-icing system, which meant that there was a huge risk of an engine failure after takeoff.

"We have spent over BGN 500 000 on helicopters that can only fly in deserts and we can only use them to go to the beach in summertime," the Prime Minister said with indignation.

His comment was made in the middle of a rescue operation that followed a severe flood in the southern Bulgarian village of Biser. Despite the Prime Minister's remarks, helicopters took part in the operation.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!