At the Bulgarian Air Base, Ignatievo graph on Saturday was ceremonially included in the armed forces of the first of 16 new F-16 Block 70 fighters, which Sofia ordered in the United States. The next seven fighters should be delivered by the end of 2025.
The ceremony was attended by Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Rosen, Minister of Defense Atanas Vydrianov and Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Emil Eftimov. The Americans were represented by Deputy Minister of Defense for NATO and European Affairs David Baker and the reigning US Ambassador to Bulgaria Susan Falatko. Mike Shoemaker was also present as a representative of the manufacturer of Lockheed Martin.
“This aircraft is a symbol of the strategic partnership that we have with the US not only in the field of defense, but also in the field of energy. It creates guarantees for our national security and security in the region on the Eastern Wing of NATO,” he said.
They will replace the Soviet MiGs
He noted that this year would be significant for the defense of Bulgaria, because in addition to new aircraft, combat vehicles for ground forces are also coming.
“President Trump entered the office with a clear vision – to achieve peace through the ability to be strong. The stronger you will, the stronger NATO and the United States will be,” said David Baker. With the F-16 fighters, Bulgaria will be a stronger and capable ally prepared to take more responsibility for its own safety. “This does not mean that the United States is moving, but that Bulgaria is taking a step forward,” Baker added.
The contract for the purchase of eight F-16 multipurpose fighters of approximately 2.4 billion euros was concluded by Bulgaria with the US party in the summer of 2019.
Meanwhile, in 2022, the Bulgarian government signed a contract with the American company Lockheed Martin to buy other eight F-16 fighters, which Bulgaria should receive by the end of 2027.
Bulgaria, which celebrated the 20th anniversary of NATO access last year, for a long time postponed the modernization of its aviation, consisting of outdated MiG-29 Soviet production fighters. However, the plans were accelerated by the invasion of Russian forces into Ukraine in February 2022. Bulgaria is currently spending more than two percent of GDP for defense.
