Two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets are in Portugal and are expected to arrive in Bulgaria at any moment, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov announced during today's blitz control. The news, spread in an official setting, caused excitement among those present.
The commitment of the American manufacturer "Lockheed Martin" remains for the remaining four aircraft to be delivered by the end of this year. Prime Minister Zhelyazkov emphasized that the preliminary plans foresee the combat duty of the F-16 aircraft to begin from mid-2026. "We have six trained pilots, and 15 are in the process of preparation," he added, noting the progress in the training of the crews.
Our country received the first two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets in April and June. According to the contract signed in 2019, Bulgaria must receive a total of eight such aircraft by the end of 2025. The Air Force will have one F-16 Block 70 squadron by the end of 2027, when another eight aircraft are expected to be delivered under the second contract.
Meanwhile, the expectation of specific deadlines for the arrival of the remaining aircraft remains unclear. The Ministry of Defense is unable to provide exact dates or periods in which the remaining six F-16 Block 70 aircraft will arrive in Bulgaria. This fact was announced by Atanas Zapryanov at the beginning of August, emphasizing that the planning of flights from the United States is a complex and lengthy process.
The tension in anticipation of the new machines is palpable, despite the difficulties. Last month, Atanas Zapryanov reported a fuel leak detected from one of the internal compartments for placing the fuel tanks of a two-seater F-16D Block 70 aircraft. A representative of "Lockheed Martin" is due to arrive by the end of September to eliminate the malfunction, which shows the constant maintenance and attention to detail, which are crucial for the safety and effectiveness of these complex machines.