The National Assembly is witnessing an important debate, reflecting on the state of the Bulgarian Air Force. Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov is answering a question posed by Member of Parliament Tsoncho Ganev from the "Vazrazhdane" party, reflecting current problems related to the newly purchased F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The minister's response, published on the National Assembly's website, sheds light on a serious technical problem that has arisen with one of these modern fighter jets.
According to the information provided, a two-seater F-16D Block 70 aircraft is affected by a fuel leak emanating from one of the internal compartments for fuel tanks. This necessitates the taking of urgent measures to identify the causes and subsequently eliminate the problem.
"According to the regulating documents, there is a technical malfunction, which necessitates the taking of actions to identify the causes and carry out activities to restore the aircraft's operability," the minister explains, emphasizing the importance of quick and coordinated actions to deal with the situation.
In order to provide access to the supposed non-hermetic assembly and to identify the source of the leak, the engineering and technical staff from Graf Ignatievo air base, jointly with field representatives of the American side, have carried out extensive work on the aircraft. After the likely cause of the leak has been established, a detailed report has been prepared. Following consultations with the American side, it has been confirmed that a representative of the aircraft manufacturer - "Lockheed Martin" - will arrive by the end of September to fix the malfunction.
Meanwhile, the Air Force continues regular consultations with the American side. In addition, orders have been placed for the supply of the necessary consumables and materials to ensure the effective resolution of the problem.
In the context of this technical difficulty, Minister Zapryanov emphasizes that only two F-16 Block 70 aircraft have been delivered so far. These aircraft are not participating in combat duty missions related to the protection of Bulgaria's airspace.
Bulgaria received the first two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets in April and June. According to the contract signed in 2019, by the end of 2025, the country should receive a total of eight such aircraft. It is expected that by the end of 2027, when eight more aircraft are expected to be delivered under the second contract, the Bulgarian Air Force will have an F-16 Block 70 squadron.
The Ministry of Defense, according to a statement by Minister Zapryanov, made at the beginning of August, is not able to provide specific dates or periods in which the remaining six F-16 Block 70 aircraft will arrive in Bulgaria. This is due to the complex and lengthy process of planning flights by the US.