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
-
![Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace collaborate on British Army ACP bid]()
Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace collaborate on British Army ACP bid
The pair will submit their demonstrator concept for Project Nyx, a development project for the British Army’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform.
-
![US Army command’s Picatinny CLIK common lethal drone interface makes progress]()
US Army command’s Picatinny CLIK common lethal drone interface makes progress
The Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit is designed to overcome the issue of unique integration methods between lethal payloads and drones as well as avoiding problematic acquisition conditions created by vendor lock.
-
![Australia invests extra A$1.4 billion in MQ-28A Ghost Bat after successful missile fire test]()
Australia invests extra A$1.4 billion in MQ-28A Ghost Bat after successful missile fire test
The investment includes new contracts for six MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft, as well as provisional funds to invest in the development of a Block 3 prototype.
-
![Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026]()
Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026
The newly unveiled collaborative combat aircraft looks to strike a balance between capability and cost-effectiveness, according to the company.
-
![MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests]()
MBDA and Lockheed move closer to F-35A Meteor flight tests
Following the completion of successful ground tests, one more exercise remains before flight testing can begin.
