Originally Posted by
ORAC
https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...opter-repairs/
Bulgaria, Russia clash over Ukrainian helicopter repairs
SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria’s defense capabilities will not be seriously affected by Moscow’s decision to suspend Russian helicopter repair certificates to local companies, the defense minister said Friday.
The statement implies that Russia will also no longer provide spare parts.
Bulgaria had previously agreed to repair Ukrainian military equipment at its military factories, although it refused to send weapons directly.
Zakov said that Moscow’s decision would not seriously affect Bulgaria, nor would it hinder its repair of Ukrainian military equipment.
“What happened with gas has now happened with helicopter licenses,” Zakov said, referring to an earlier suspension of Russian gas deliveries to Bulgaria after it refused to pay in rubles….
Sounds like a self mutilation threat by Russian Aerospace. Russia has spent 30 years dropping the technical competency of its population, and is now happy to cut off their nose in response to the rest of the world being tired and irritated by the incessant noise from the Kremlin. Bulgaria has alternatives to any component that was acquired from Russia proper, most of which appears to have originated in the Ukraine anyway, at least in much of their aircraft. On the world stage, Russia getting uppity on parts gives an impetus to going for western heavy lift helo's instead. Tooling for the Tarhe is still available, won't be cheap, but won't be Russian either.
Had looked at MRO capability in Bulgaria a few years back for a large aircraft, they were competent and competitive, and they aren't Russia.