Bulgaria Modernizes NATO Aviation After Receiving State-of-the-Art F-16 Block 70
On a momentous day for Bulgarian military aviation, a historic event took place at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base – the acceptance of the first F-16D Block 70 fighter. This marks the beginning of a large-scale upgrade of the country’s air force and the final farewell to Soviet equipment after a 35-year break.
Strategic Modernization of Bulgarian Aviation
A historic event for Bulgarian military aviation took place at Graf Ignatievo Air Base – the country received its first F-16D Block 70 fighter. This is the first step in a large-scale air force upgrade and the final farewell to Soviet equipment after a 35-year break.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense presented photographs of the new aircraft at the official acceptance ceremony. According to Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, this event opens up fundamentally new opportunities for the country’s armed forces and creates a platform for training a new generation of military specialists.
The received F-16D Block 70 is just the beginning of a major upgrade. According to contracts from 2018 and 2022, Bulgaria will receive a total of 16 modern fighters to replace the outdated Soviet MiG-29s. The second contract, worth $1.3 billion, includes not only aircraft delivery but also a comprehensive personnel training program and a complete technical maintenance package.
Although initial delivery dates were planned for 2023-2024, due to delays, Bulgaria had to extend the operation of MiG-29s, turning to Poland for engine repairs. Despite this, the arrival of new F-16V Block 70s will significantly expand NATO’s capabilities in the region and strengthen interaction between alliance countries on the eastern flank.
Along with the aircraft, Bulgaria will receive modern armament and a complete technical maintenance package, which will allow the country to become a full-fledged F-16 operator in the European region.
The receipt of the first F-16D Block 70 is a significant event not only for Bulgaria but for the entire Eastern European region. This is a major step in strengthening NATO’s defense capabilities and abandoning dependence on Russian military equipment. The modernization of the Bulgarian Air Force demonstrates the country’s clear pro-Western orientation and its readiness to invest in modern defense technologies.
