Lockheed delivers first F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Bulgaria
The first F-16 jet at the handover ceremony in Greenville, South Carolina. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
The delivery of this F-16 Block 70 aircraft marks a first step in the Bulgarian air force’s modernisation efforts and the replacement of its MiG-29 aircraft.
Lockheed Martin has announced the delivery of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft to Bulgaria.
Bulgaria has ordered 16 F-16 Block 70 fighters, which will reportedly be delivered in two batches – the remainder of this first batch in 2025. The second is expected to be delivered in 2027.
Lockheed announced the successful flight of the first F-16 jet in October 2024, at its production facility in Greenville, South Carolina.
Related Articles
Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 takes flight
“The F-16 will help the Bulgarian Air Force stay ahead of threats in the region and play a key role in the allied peacekeeping mission in Europe and around the world,” said Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager – Integrated Fighter Group.
“The F-16 has proven its air dominance time and again, and the Block 70 version will give the Bulgarian Air Force a highly capable, combat-proven aircraft.”
According to Lockheed Martin, there is a backlog of 117 Block 70/72 jets to be produced in Greenville, with 23 ready to deliver for international partners.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal]()
V-22 Osprey safety upgrade moves towards wider fleet installation under $35.5 million deal
Bell Boeing will supply 73 additional ODSSHI kits as NAVAIR prepares to introduce predictive drive-system monitoring across US and Japanese V-22 fleets.
-
![AFA 2026: USAF examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics]()
AFA 2026: USAF examines uncrewed cargo aircraft for contested logistics
The US Air Force is evaluating demonstrators for uncrewed cargo missions as it considers logistics requirements across the Pacific and other contested environments.
-
![Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad]()
Europe risks losing control of CUAS production capacity as manufacturers look abroad
European counter-drone developers are securing early orders in the Middle East while slow domestic acquisition processes threaten to redirect production capacity, expertise and investment away from Europe.
-
![India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist]()
India’s rotary-wing capability gap grows as IMRH programme delays persist
With IMRH and DBMRH potentially years from service, India faces a widening rotary-wing capability gap that could drive further foreign purchases even as HAL and Safran build the foundations of an indigenous successor.
-
![AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX]()
AFA 2026: Swarm Aero eyes 2027 Gamera flight as Textron/Merlin reveal SkyCourier UX
Two new uncrewed aircraft concepts target very different US military requirements, from massed long-range strike to autonomous logistics. Shephard spoke with executives from Swarm Aero, Textron Aviation and Merlin Labs at this year's AFA Air, Space & Cyber conference to learn more about their capabilities.
