Bulgaria Receives Two More F-16 Block 70 Fighter Jets, Advancing Air Force Modernization

Latest F-16 Block 70 Jets Arrive in Bulgaria

On October 3, 2025, Bulgaria's Defence Ministry confirmed the delivery of two new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, marking another significant step in the country's ongoing military modernization efforts. The aircraft landed at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base near Plovdiv, where they were welcomed by senior military officials, including Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov. This latest delivery increases Bulgaria's fleet of F-16 Block 70s to four aircraft.

The newly arrived jets consist of one single-seater and one two-seater variant. As with previous deliveries, the aircraft were flown by United States pilots and arrived bearing U.S. Air Force markings, which will subsequently be changed to those of the Bulgarian Air Force. Technical and flight acceptance procedures by Bulgarian personnel at the Third Air Base are now underway.

Strategic Acquisition and Modernization Goals

This delivery is part of a 2019 contract with the United States for a total of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft. The first two F-16s under this contract arrived in Bulgaria on April 2, 2025, and June 8, 2025, respectively. The Bulgarian government aims to receive all eight aircraft from this initial batch by the end of 2025.

A second contract for an additional eight F-16 Block 70 jets is expected to be delivered by the end of 2027, which will enable the Bulgarian Air Force to field a full squadron of 16 F-16s. This acquisition program, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, represents the largest and most expensive modernization project for the Bulgarian Air Force, with the first contract valued at approximately $1.3 billion.

Enhancing Air Defense and NATO Interoperability

The F-16 Block 70 aircraft are crucial for replacing Bulgaria's aging fleet of Soviet-era MiG-29 fighter jets, which have been in service since the Cold War. The modernization is intended to bolster Bulgaria's air defense capabilities, ensure the protection of its airspace, and strengthen its interoperability with NATO allies.

Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov stated, 'We are welcoming two more F-16 aircraft. The goal is to have eight aircraft by the end of 2025.' He also noted that the F-16 Block 70 is being mastered, with several flights already conducted on the first two aircraft, and Bulgarian technicians collaborating with American colleagues and representatives from Lockheed Martin. Prime Minister Rossen Zhelyazkov previously informed Parliament that the combat duty of the F-16 aircraft is tentatively planned to begin in mid-2026.

Pilot Training and Technical Considerations

The transition to the new F-16 platform involves extensive training. Currently, six Bulgarian pilots are trained, with an additional 15 pilots undergoing training. Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov highlighted that the training program, including flight crew instruction, is a significant component of the acquisition contracts.

However, the integration process has not been without challenges. A fuel leak was detected on a two-seater F-16D Block 70 aircraft (tail number 301) delivered earlier. A representative from Lockheed Martin was expected to address this malfunction by the end of September 2025. This particular aircraft was not yet formally accepted into service or performing air policing duties.