Bulgaria will buy 8 more F-16 fighter jets from USA

Bulgaria will buy 8 more F-16 fighter jets from the US, the government decided at its regular weekly meeting on September 21. Thus, the Air Force will have a full squadron of 16 new fighter jets in total, said caretaker Minister of Defence, Dimitar Stoyanov. The cabinet also approved a programme for financing 13 priority defence projects worth 6.6 billion BGN.

By 2025, the United States is to deliver the first eight planes, which were agreed and paid for under the Borisov cabinet, and with today's decision by the caretaker government, Bulgaria will buy eight more, for which it will pay 1 billion and 296 million dollars.

"This investment project includes air-to-surface, air-to-air strike capabilities, i.e., we will have a full squadron of 16 aircraft. The planes are expected to arrive in 2027," said Dimitar Stoyanov, caretaker Minister of Defence.

The rearmament with F-16s also necessitates a major upgrade of the Graf Ignatyevo airbase, where the new fighter jets will be deployed. In this regard, the relocation of MiG-29 and L-39 combat trainer aircraft to Plovdiv airport has begun.

"Now the runway is expected to be repaired, not because it is unfit, but to ensure that when the new F-16 fighter comes in the next 10-15 years, only maintenance of the runway will be required, but not major repairs. That is why the runway is being repaired now, before the aircraft arrive," explained Brig. Gen. Nikolai Russev - Air Force Commander.

Last week, talks were held with Sweden and France about leasing fighter jets to carry out combat duties during the period when the MiGs come out of service and before we receive the new F-16s, Minister Stoyanov said. Offers are expected from the United States and Israel.

"We can carry duty together with our allies, but not our allies carrying duty for us," said Dimitar Stoyanov, caretaker Minister of Defence

The government also decided to finance a total of 13 military projects with 6.6 billion BGN as a priority, including the acquisition of new infantry fighting vehicles, 3-D radars, 155 millimetre howitzers, coastal missile complexes, 2 submarines and patrol warships.