Bulgaria officially received its first American F-16 fighter plane on Sunday, April 13. The delivery was made the framework of a historical command regarding the modernization of the country's air fleet located on the eastern flank of NATO.
F-16 aircraft / Royal Air Forces of the Netherlands. PHOTO ARCHIVE PHOTO EPA-EFE
“We celebrate a plane with the fight number 301, but we first of all mark the beginning of the firm and irreversible modernization of the Bulgarian army“said Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Jeliazkov, during a ceremony organized at the military base Graf Ignatievo, in the center of Bulgaria, informs AFP, quoted by Agerpres.
Will strengthen the security of Bulgaria
David Baker, a deputy assistant for NATO and Europe of the American Defense Secretary, welcomed “A significant milestone”.
“Your investments today will strengthen Bulgaria's security for the next decades and allow you to contribute more” To the North Atlantic Alliance, added the US dignitary.
Bulgaria replaces its MIG-29 aircraft with F-16
In recent years, Bulgaria has ordered 16 American fighter jets to replace its MIG-9, Soviet manufacture, in exchange for 2.4 billion euros, signing the largest contract for the modernization of its army in the last 35 years.
By the end of the year, Bulgaria will receive seven other F-16 aircraft, and in 2027 eight other flight devices.
Bulgaria, which last year marked 20 years since NATO accession, has long postponed the modernization of her air forces for financial and political reasons.
In June 2021, a Bulgarian pilot died due to the collapse of a MIG-29 aircraft during a military exercise above the Black Sea. In September 2024, two other soldiers lost their lives during a training flight for an air show.
Romania strengthens its military aviation with a new F-16 squadron
We recall that the Netherlands has brought 18 training aircraft for training in Romania, where the only training center for F-16 in Europe is located, making it possible to set up the fourth squads of such aircraft.
