Voynika Airfield

The closure of Voynika Airfield was a direct result of the large-scale military restructuring and downsizing of the Bulgarian Armed Forces following the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. As Bulgaria realigned its military doctrine and faced economic constraints, numerous air bases were deemed redundant. The resident unit, the 22nd Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment (22-ри изтребително-бомбардировъчен авиополк), was disbanded. Its remaining operational aircraft, primarily the Su-25 'Frogfoot' ground-attack jets, were consolidated at the nearby Bezmer Air Base, which was modernized and remains a key active installation for the Bulgarian Air Force and NATO.

The airfield is permanently closed and in a state of significant decay. The runway, taxiways, and many of the hardened aircraft shelters are still visible but are crumbling and overgrown with vegetation. The most significant change to the site is its large-scale conversion into a photovoltaic power plant. A massive solar farm, one of the largest in Bulgaria, now covers a substantial portion of the former operational areas, including sections of the main runway and aprons. The remaining military infrastructure, such as the abandoned shelters and administrative buildings, is derelict. The site is not used for any aviation-related activities.

Voynika Airfield was a strategically important frontline air base for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War. Its location in southeastern Bulgaria, relatively close to the Turkish border (a NATO member), placed it at the forefront of the Warsaw Pact's southern flank. The airfield was home to the 22nd Fighter-Bomber Air Regiment. Initially, the regiment operated aircraft like the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 'Fresco'. In the 1980s, it was re-equipped with more advanced Sukhoi Su-22M4/UM3K 'Fitter' variable-geometry fighter-bombers. Towards the end of its operational life, it also briefly hosted Sukhoi Su-25K/UBK 'Frogfoot' ground-attack aircraft before they were transferred. The base featured a concrete runway, extensive taxiways, and numerous Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS) designed to protect aircraft from attack, highlighting its military importance.

There are no known plans or prospects for reopening Voynika Airfield for aviation purposes. The prospect is considered virtually zero for several reasons: 1) The extensive and permanent installation of the solar power plant on its key operational surfaces makes a return to aviation use economically and logistically unfeasible. 2) The nearby Bezmer Air Base (LBYA) is fully operational, has been significantly modernized to NATO standards, and fulfills all regional military aviation requirements. 3) The significant decay of the remaining infrastructure would require a complete and costly reconstruction. The site's future is firmly established as a renewable energy generation facility.