Bulgaria approves second tranche of F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets
Bulgaria is to acquire a fleet of 16 F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets to replace ageing Mig-29s. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Bulgaria is to invest further in Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets, acquiring eight more aircraft plus related equipment.
Bulgaria has formally approved funding of an additional eight Lockheed Martin F-16C/D Block 70 fighter jets at a cost of $1.3 billion.
The new investment, which also includes related weaponry, will lead to a full squadron of 16 aircraft eventually being operated, according to Dimitar Stoyanov, Bulgaria’s defence minister.
He also confirmed in a 21 September statement that deliveries of the second tranche of F-16s are to begin in 2027. Shephard previously reported that first the F-16 deliveries to Bulgaria are set to take place in 2025 with IOC expected in 2026.
The new jets are to be fitted with ‘advanced capabilities’ including Northrop Grumman’s APG-83 AESA radar, conformal fuel tanks, improved engine performance, an automatic ground collision avoidance system and an extended structural service life of 12,000h, according to Lockheed Martin company literature.
Approval of the additional aircraft was officially ratified during a Council of Ministers meeting which also saw Bulgaria decide to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine. On that front, 350 medical kits are to be supplied to Kyiv.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story]()
Baykar’s Akinci: Local participation and export freedom drive $4.63 billion success story
The success of the Akinci drone stems from Turkey’s push for domestically produced components – which has led to fewer export restrictions – and from manufacturer Baykar’s willingness to coproduce the drone with customers’ domestic industries.
-
![Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030]()
Lithuania air focus: Majority of $235.98 million drone investment to be spent before 2030
Lithuania has committed significant funding towards expanding its UAV capabilities, with more than $54 million already spent and substantial additional investment planned through to 2029. Alongside domestic procurement, the country has also acquired various drones to support Ukraine.
-
![“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era]()
“A dominant force”: empowering Europe’s airborne ISR in a new era
European militaries face a new security landscape, with the proliferation of drones, theatre ballistic missiles and other threats boosting requirements for airborne intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and related systems. For L3Harris, missionised business jets are central to meeting these needs, providing capability and flexibility in a cost-effective package.
-
![Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market]()
Japan’s Terra Drone expands Ukrainian ties to break into global defence market
Following its investment into WinnyLab, Terra Drone unveiled a new long-range fixed-wing addition to its interceptor drone portfolio as it seeks to bring combat-proven technology back to Japan and expand into global export markets.
