Its Parliament Bulgaria today gave the green light to purchase a second batch of eight new F-16 fighter jets from the US for about $1.3 billion.

The European Union and NATO member country, which ordered eight Lockheed Martin F-16 aircraft in 2019, is expected to replace Russian MiG-29 fighters and improve their compatibility with NATO standards.

The United States has already approved the potential sale.

The deal sparked a heated debate in parliament, where two Russian-friendly parties opposed the purchase, raising concerns about massive military spending and the fact that the Black Sea country has yet to receive the planes under the first contract.

Acting Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov backed the purchase with ten-year installments.

“We need a second batch of aircraft. The first eight F-16s will not be enough to fulfill our air patrol duties,” Stoyanov told parliament.

Bulgaria is also in talks with Poland to buy eight engines to keep the MiG fighter fleet operational until the end of 2023.

The first F-16s are expected to be delivered to Bulgaria in 2025, and the country also looks to lease other military aircraft to fill the expected gap and protect its airspace.