The United States, Sweden and Italy have filed bids to supply Bulgaria with eight fighter jets aimed at replacing its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s, in a tender estimated at 1.8 billion levs ($1.05 billion).

"If the government agrees with the report's recommendation, the parliament will have to approve it and talks with the United States will start," Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov told a news conference.

The government is expected to decide how to proceed next month.