site.btaUPDATED Defence Minister: Acquiring F-16 Block 70 Makes Us a Balkan Country with the Newest Type of Aircraft

After the ceremony at Lockheed Martin's production facility in Greenville, USA, on January 31 that marked Bulgaria's acquiring of 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told reporters that this purchase makes Bulgaria one of the Balkan countries with the newest and most modern type of aircraft.

The F-16 Block 70 is a completely new, fourth-generation aircraft with tremendous capabilities. It is a multi-role fighter, unlike the MiG-29 and Su-25 we have in service, the Minister said. He added: "We are witnessing a historic event of key importance for the development of the Bulgarian Air Force. With the acquisition of this multi-role fighter aircraft capable of performing a wide range of tasks we are marking the beginning of the renewal of our combat aviation, the building of new capabilities of our Armed Forces, which will ensure full interoperability with [our] NATO and EU allies."

Zapryanov stated that the strategic partnership established with the US has bolstered not just Bulgaria's security over the years but also the security of the Black Sea region and NATO's Eastern flank.

Under the two contracts signed in 2019 and 2022, Bulgaria will receive a total of 16 fighter jets. The project is being implemented in two phases, each of which includes the acquisition of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The first two multi-role fighter jets are expected to arrive in Bulgaria in late March or early April 2025, Zapryanov said and added that a third one is also complete but will remain at Lockheed Martin's plant to be used to train Bulgarian engineers. Five more aircraft are being assembled and should be shipped to Bulgaria by the end of the year.

Referring to the second contract, the Minister said that it has been ratified, and preparations for its implementation are on track. Bulgaria should expect the next eight aircraft to be delivered by the end of 2027.

The Defence Minister reported that the for training pilots and engineers is on schedule. He added: "We are not only buying aircraft, simulators, weapons and ammunition. We have also included the training of the aircrew that is worth more than USD 150 million." A total of 32 pilots will be trained under the two contracts.

Zapryanov commented on the implementation of 49 ongoing projects for the renovation of Graf Ignatievo Air Base, which will receive the new fighter jets. He said: "We are renovating everything at the air base. We have an assurance that the facilities that need to be certified to accept the aircraft will be completed." Construction of the shelters for the aircraft will continue throughout 2025 including after the arrival of the first two aircraft. "We have a one-year contract to build 16 shelters for all 16 aircraft. Two more mobile hangars will be built, as well as other facilities that will allow the air base to be fully ready to store the aircraft, as per Lockheed Martin's requirements," the Minister reported.

Mike Shoemaker, Vice President and General Manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, said that the F-16 will help the Bulgarian Air Force to maintain its leading position in dealing with threats in the region and to play a key role in the unified peacekeeping mission in Europe and around the world.

Commenting on the news, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Friday that this purchase continues the upward development of Bulgaria’s strategic defence partnership with the US.