Final Two F-16 Fighter Jets for the Bulgarian Air Force Under the First Contract Arrived at 'Graf Ignatievo' Air Base

The Bulgarian Air Force's last two F-16 Block 70s under the first contract with Lockheed Martin contract arrived in Bulgaria on December 16. They were welcomed by Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov. The aircraft landed at the Third Air Base in the village of. Graf Ignatievo.

The two combat aircraft—one single-seat and one two-seat—flew to Bulgaria bearing the insignia of the United States Air Force. Following their arrival at the air base, the markings will be replaced with those of the Bulgarian Air Force.

Also present at the reception were the Deputy Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, Brigadier General Dimitar Georgiev; the acting commander of the Third Air Base, Colonel Metodi Orlov; representatives of the US Air Forces in Europe and Africa; and officials from the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

Once an additional eight aircraft are delivered under the second contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Bulgarian Air Force will operate a full squadron of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets.

Bulgarian Air Force's first F-16 fighter jet arrived in Bulgaria, seven more aircraft expected by the end of the year (OVERVIEW)