Parliament Approves Additional F-16 Purchase

The Bulgarian Parliament has approved a government proposal to buy more fighter jets from the U.S., reports the Sofia News Agency.

On Friday, lawmakers approved the nearly US$1.3 billion proposal to buy eight more F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft, reported Defense News.

Bulgaria ordered eight F-16s in 2019, which are slated for delivery in 2025. The second batch is expected to be handed over in 2027, said Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov.

The initial order did not include enough weapons, air-to-ground missiles and precision weapons, the minister said. Accordingly, the follow-on order will include additional spare engines, radars, targeting systems and weapons.

Bulgaria will not be able to protect its own airspace after 2023, once its aging MiG-29 jets are scheduled to be withdrawn from service. Sofia has struggled to obtain maintenance and repair services for the aircraft following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.

The government is seeking to lease additional jets from its allies to fill its air-policing requirements until the new F-16s enter service.