Chief of Defence: New Era in Development of Bulgarian Armed Forces

Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov speaking during an official ceremony at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base for presenting the first eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force, December 17, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria,

18.12.2025 13:53

(BTA)

Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov said that having a fleet of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets is "a new era in the development of the Bulgarian Armed Forces". He was speaking during an official ceremony at the Graf Ignatievo Air Base for presenting the first eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force. “We are entering a new era in the development and modernization of the Bulgarian Army, a key stage of significant technological renewal and a qualitatively new approach to operations, suited to the contemporary security environment,” said Admiral Eftimov during the official ceremony at the Third Air Base – Graf Ignatievo, marking the presentation of the first eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force (BAF).

“Generations of Bulgarian commanders, officers, sergeants, and soldiers have been waiting for this moment: to have modern equipment with a wide range of capabilities,” the Admiral said. Like the outgoing Defence Minister before him, he noted that, in addition to the eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the first multifunctional modular patrol ship is already in service, and the delivery of the first new Stryker combat vehicles for the Land Forces is expected. Eftimov commented that these developments reflect years of effort by all involved representatives of the state and military leadership. “We are seeing the results of the foresighted decisions of the State to allocate a costly, but entirely justified, resource for the modernization projects of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, which have sparked debates and discussions,” the admiral said. He added that he had known all along that these were the right decisions.

The Chief of Defence expressed gratitude to the personnel of the Bulgarian Air Force, who will continue to carry out combat duty in protecting the country’s airspace.

He added that, alongside the acquisition of new aircraft, resources are also being invested in new radar systems, air defense complexes, and unmanned systems.

/NF/