Lockheed Martin has confirmed progress in the manufacturing of the first seven F-16 Block 70 fighter jets destined for the Bulgarian Air Force. This confirmation took place during an official ceremony at Lockheed Martin's Greenville facility in the United States, coinciding with the visit of the Bulgarian Minister of Defense, Todor Tagarev.
The acquisition of these aircraft is part of the Bulgarian Air Force's modernization efforts, aiming to replace its aging fleet of Soviet-origin fighter aircraft, specifically the MiG-29s. With the confirmation of the purchase of a total of eight F-16 Block 70s in 2019, Bulgaria embarked on a process to incorporate more advanced aircraft in line with contemporary defense needs.
In 2022, the Bulgarian government also approved the purchase of a second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft, authorized by the United States Department of State for a total amount of USD 1.673 billion. This decision was subsequently endorsed by the Bulgarian Parliament in November 2022.
During the Minister of Defense's visit to Lockheed Martin's facilities, the company reported that the first seven F-16 Block 70 fighter jets are in various stages of production. Additionally, it was emphasized that the inaugural test flight of the first F-16 Block 70 for the Bulgarian Air Force is scheduled for this year.
Bulgaria will become the second country in Europe to integrate the most modern version of the F-16, following Slovakia, and this development will represent a significant step in interoperability with NATO. The complete delivery of all eight aircraft in each batch is expected to be finalized by the year 2027.
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