site.btaDefence Ministry Is Working Intensively to Build Infrastructure for New F-16 Fighter Aircraft, Outgoing Minister Tagarev Says

Speaking during Parliament's Question Time on Friday, outgoing Defence Minister Todor Tagarev said that his ministry is working intensively to build the infrastructure needed for the new F-16 fighter jets so that the Graf Ignatievo Air Base is brought to operational readiness within the envisaged timeframe. Tagarev was answering a question from BSP MP Manol Genov related to the reconstruction stage of the air base and the remaining time for the delivery of the first F-16 fighter jets.

In his response, Tagarev pointed out that the analysis on the implementation of the work had necessitated prioritization of the facilities, which he divided into two main groups - facilities directly related to the F-16 aircraft and other related to improving the air base's existing infrastructure.

The ministry's efforts are aimed at achieving maximum progress and successful completion of the contracts directly related to the delivery of the fighter jets, Tagarev added.

The outgoing Defence Minister said that the contracts related to the delivery of the F-16 fighter jets and their certification are scheduled to be finalized by end-2024. He noted that the investment process for the acquisition of new F-16 fighters was launched when lacking full information on the facilities’ specific requirements, and without a comprehensive concept of what infrastructure was actually needed to service the aircraft. This, he said, has led to redesigns and lengthy coordination as the work progressed. Due to high inflation rates, the contractors had informed the Defence Ministry about a failure of executing the contracts, Tagarev added.

He explained that the Ministry has taken measures due to which eighteen contracts have been indexed, and another eight are being terminated as the contractors have informed the Ministry that they cannot fulfil their assignments. Thus, the Ministry had to follow up with awarding new procurements and contracts.

"The MoD is making efforts to catch up the backlog. The implementation of the activities is expected to be put in line with the set timelines and according to the commitments made for the acquisition of the F-16 Block 70 aircraft, but risks remain," Tagarev further said.