SOFIA, Bulgaria — Bulgaria won on Wednesday the primary of 16 new F-16 army jets from the US that the Balkan nation must improve its protection and produce its air power in step with NATO requirements.
High Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov hailed the coming of the primary jet on the Graf Ignatievo air base in central Bulgaria.
“This isn’t only a fighter jet, however a logo and embodiment of Bulgaria’s strategic partnership with the US … a partnership that gives a brand new point of view for the Bulgarian Military,” the top minister stated.
Bulgaria gotten smaller to shop for 8 multi-role F-16 Block 70 plane in July 2019 for $1.3 billion. Plans to start with referred to as for the primary planes to reach in Bulgaria in 2023, however the coronavirus pandemic behind schedule their supply.
In 2022, the Bulgarian executive signed a freelance with American aerospace corporate Lockheed Martin for a 2nd batch of any other 8 of the F-16 fighter jets by way of the tip of 2027.
Bulgaria, which joined NATO in 2004, has for 20 years sought to replace its army’s air fleet of getting older Soviet-made MiG-29 jets, however monetary issues compelled repeated postponements.
Amid Russia’s ongoing battle on Ukraine, Bulgaria has been depending on the aid of different NATO international locations to meet its air policing duties as an alliance member.
