Politics » DEFENSE | February 1, 2025, Saturday // 11:01

Historic Milestone: Bulgaria Receives Its First F-16 Block 70 Fighter Jet@Ministry of Defense
Bulgaria has officially received its first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet at a ceremony held at Lockheed Martin’s production facility in Greenville, South Carolina. The handover marks a key milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize its air force, with a total of 16 aircraft ordered from the United States.

The event was attended by Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov, along with representatives from Lockheed Martin, the US Congress and Senate, the Department of Defense, the US Air Force, and local officials. The aircraft, which bears the Bulgarian flag on its tail, is the first in a batch that will gradually be delivered to Bulgaria. Two of the jets are expected to arrive on Bulgarian soil by the end of March.