The joint air policing has long been planned, but there is no direct threat to Bulgaria, Minister of Defense Dragomir Zakov said. The three Dutch F-35 fighter aircraft will perform standard surveillance missions in Bulgaria, said Minister Zakov. Dragomir Zakov was adamant that only Bulgarian aircraft can use force, provided  the Defense Minister authorizes such use. Atanas Atanasov, Co-chairman of Democratic Bulgaria, welcomed the government’s decision to beef up the protection of Bulgaria’s airspace.

However, cabinet ministers from the Bulgarian Socialist Party noted that according to data of the national services, there is no threat to Bulgaria and it is unnecessary to create further tensions.