Final Two F-16 Fighter Jets under First Contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Arrived in Bulgaria (see pics)

The final two F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force under the first contract with Lockheed Martin arrived in Bulgaria on December 16. They were welcomed by Defence Minister, Atanas Zapryanov, and Chief of Defence, Admiral Emil Eftimov, landing at the Third Air Base in Graf Ignatievo.

The two combat aircraft, a single-seater and a two-seater, flew to Bulgaria with the insignia of the US Air Force. After landing at the Third Air Base they will be replaced with the insignia of the Bulgarian Air Force.

Also present to receive the jets were Deputy Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force Brigadier General Dimitar Georgiev, 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 jets are delivered under a second contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the Bulgarian Air Force will operate a full squadron of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets.