Chirpan Airfield

Military restructuring and economic reasons. Following the end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact, Bulgaria underwent a significant downsizing and modernization of its armed forces. Numerous air bases, including Chirpan, were deemed redundant or too costly to maintain. The 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment, stationed at the base, was disbanded, leading to the cessation of active flight operations and the eventual closure of the airfield.

The site has been repurposed and is no longer used for aviation. A significant portion of the former runway, taxiways, and aprons has been covered by a large-scale photovoltaic power plant, often referred to as the Karadzhalovo Solar Park, which is one of the largest in the region. While the original concrete runway and the distinctive hardened aircraft shelters are still visible on satellite imagery, they are in a state of decay and are heavily obstructed by the solar panel arrays, making any aviation activity impossible. The site is now a major renewable energy generation facility.

Chirpan Airfield was a key military air base for the Bulgarian Air Force during the Cold War. Its primary purpose was to serve as a frontline fighter base. It was home to the 19th Fighter Aviation Regiment (19-ти изтребителен авиополк). Throughout its operational history, the base hosted various Soviet-made fighter aircraft, most notably the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 and later the supersonic MiG-21 in several variants. The base played a strategic role in the air defense of southern Bulgaria and was an integral part of the Warsaw Pact's integrated air defense network. Its infrastructure, including a long concrete runway and hardened aircraft shelters (HAS), was typical of Soviet-era military airfields designed to withstand a potential first strike.

There are no known plans or realistic prospects for reopening Chirpan Airfield for aviation purposes. The extensive and permanent installation of the photovoltaic power plant on its operational surfaces makes a return to aviation functionally impossible and economically unfeasible. The site's value has been fully converted from military aviation to renewable energy production.