US Charge d'Affaires McDowell: A Transformation that Raises Bar on Capabilities, Readiness and Professionalism of Bulgaria's Military

Irina Shopova

US Charge d'Affaires Martin McDowell speaking during a ceremony at Graf Ignatievo Air Base to welcome the full first batch of eight F-16 from the US, Graf Ignatievo, December 17, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria,

18.12.2025 15:06

(BTA)

The arrival of Bulgaria’s first batch of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets marks a major step in the country’s military modernization and strengthens security and stability across the Black Sea region, US Charge d'Affaires Martin McDowell said during a ceremony at Graf Ignatievo Air Base to welcome the full batch of eight F-16 from the US. "This major advance in Bulgaria's military modernization decisively reinforces the security and stability of the Black Sea region. It symbolizes the foundational defense partnership between our countries and the United States' unwavering commitment to Bulgaria's security and the collective defense of the NATO alliance," he said.

McDowell stressed that while the delivery of the aircraft is a milestone, it is only the first step. “The arrival of these eight F-16s is just the beginning,” he said. “To keep them mission-ready, Bulgaria’s pilots and mechanics must continue to be highly trained, and the armed forces as a whole must undergo institutional and cultural transformation to fully integrate these systems.”

He noted that the modernization extends beyond the F-16s. The first Stryker armored combat vehicles are scheduled to arrive in Bulgaria in 2026 and will be assembled near Veliko Tarnovo. Together with the second tranche of F-16s, these programs represent the largest defense modernization initiative in Bulgarian history, creating opportunities for professional development, jobs, and economic growth in the country’s defense sector, he said.

He highlighted the value of international cooperation, citing a recent Regional Air Operations Workshop in Sofia that brought together pilots from Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine. According to McDowell, these partnerships offer invaluable lessons and expertise that Bulgaria should continue to leverage as it integrates the F-16 into its air force.

Finally, the U.S. diplomat acknowledged the hundreds of personnel on both sides who have contributed to making the delivery of the jets possible, underscoring that the success of the programme depends on sustained institutional support and collaboration.

/NF/