site.btaUPDATED Ceremony Welcomes Bulgaria's First F-16 Aircraft at Graf Ignatievo Air Base

The first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft was officially welcomed during a ceremony at the Graf Ignatievo Third Air Base (South Central Bulgaria) on Sunday. Among the official guests at the event were Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov described the introduction of F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft into the Bulgarian Air Force fleet as an ideological change and a symbol of the country’s strategic partnership with the United States. He said the plane is becoming a part of Bulgaria’s national sovereignty.

Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov described Saturday as an exceptional day for the Bulgarian Air Force as the arrival of the first Bulgarian F-16 aircraft marks the beginning of the process of technological rearmament. 2025 will be particularly fruitful for Bulgarian defence because, in addition to the new aircraft, the country will receive new Stryker armoured vehicles for the Armed Forces and the second of the new patrol ships for Navy, he added.

Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov assured the audience that support for the modernisation of the Armed Forces is an important element of building a stable and prosperous country.

The ceremony was also attended by U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for NATO and Europe David Baker, the Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Sofia, Susan Falatko, Lockheed Martin General Manager Michael Shoemaker, government officials, heads of institutions and others.

The Charge d'Affaires ad interim at the US Embassy in Sofia, Susan Falatko, stressed that the cooperation between Bulgaria and the US is expanding and intensifying, especially in terms of partnership with the Air Force. She added that the F-16 programme shows a long-term stable commitment that will not only strengthen relations between the two countries, but also those with NATO allies.

U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for NATO and Europe David Baker said that his country needs capable allies who are willing to take responsibility for the challenges they face.

After the official greetings, each of the guests signed a special poster to commemorate the moment of receiving the aircraft.

Zhelyazkov held talks with Baker. The two discussed their countries’ strategic partnership, more specifically their cooperation in defence and security. They concurred that investing in defence is investing in the future. The Bulgarian Prime Minister expressed appreciation of Bulgaria’s partnership with the United States in upgrading the Bulgarian Armed Forces, including the Air Force, which he said is a matter of priority for his government.

The first F-16 Block 70 fighter for the Bulgarian Air Force landed at Graf Ignatievo on April 2 after leaving the Lockheed Martin plants on March 31. It is a two-seat trainer-and-combat plane. It will go into operation after its technical and aerial acceptance by the Bulgarian Air Force.

The fighter is part of an initial batch of eight F-16 Block 70 jets whose delivery will be completed by the end of 2025. Another eight such fighters will arrive by the close of 2027 to add up to a full squadron.