site.btaFinal Two F-16 Fighter Jets under First Contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Arrive in Bulgaria

Outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov welcomed the final two aircraft under the first contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company for the acquisition of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for Bulgaria on December 16, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. The aircraft landed at Graf Ignatievo Air Base (South Bulgaria).

The two fighter aircraft - a single-seat and a two-seat variant - flew to Bulgaria bearing the insignia of the United States Air Force. After landing at Graf Ignatievo, these will be replaced with the insignia of the Bulgarian Air Force.

The aircraft were also welcomed by Bulgarian Air Force Deputy Commander Dimitar Georgiev, the acting Commander of the Third Air Base Graf Ignatievo, Colonel Metodi Orlov, representatives of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Africa, and the US Embassy in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian Air Force will operate one squadron of F-16 Block 70 aircraft once a further eight aircraft are delivered under the second contract with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, the statement said. The first eight Bulgarian F-16 fighter jets will be presented at an official ceremony at Graf Ignatievo Air Base on December 18.