The production of the first batch of F-16 Block 70s for Bulgaria and Slovakia has already been completed, announced communications representatives of the manufacturer of the fighter jets – Lockheed Martin, for Bulgaria.
The fighter jets were produced at the plant in Greenville, South Carolina, and have passed the final DD250 inspection under the US government's Foreign Military Sales program, the company adds.
The F-6 Block 70 squadron provides Bulgaria and Slovakia with the opportunity to secure their national air defense, as well as to support NATO air policing missions with a modern, fully NATO-compatible fighter. The fighters connect directly to the alliance's systems and perform the same missions that are already carried out by F-16 operators across Europe, the announcement says.
The deliveries are key for both countries in their defense modernization plans, as well as in aligning their Air Forces (AF) with the training, standards, and operational practices used by 29 allied countries, and increases the number of interoperable fighters that can participate in NATO missions, Lockheed Martin adds.
The company points out that the F-16 Block 70 is equipped with the APG-83 AESA radar, which has 95% software and 70% hardware compatibility with the F-35's radar. The fighter also features conformal fuel tanks, a modern digital cockpit, an operational life of 12,000 hours, and a life-saving automatic ground collision avoidance system (Auto GCAS).
These systems support the full range of air policing, air defense, and compatible training missions performed by F-16 operators across Europe. With more than 700 F-16s in Europe and an already established global support network, Bulgaria and Slovakia gain access to established training programs, proven logistical support, and a broad community of operators, which helps ensure high availability and effective long-term support, the company also writes.
On October 18, two more Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 aircraft landed at the Third Air Base in Graf Ignatievo, the press service of the Ministry of Defense announced.
The process is proceeding according to the agreed plans with the US government – the first four aircraft were already received, now two more, and we have to receive the last two by the end of this year, with which the first contract for the delivery of eight aircraft will be fulfilled, said then Defense Minister Atanas Zaprjanov. On the eve of 2026, we will be with one completed contract with the US, which gives optimism that from now on the technological acceptance of the newly arrived aircraft and their test flights begins, he added.