New Era for Bulgarian Air Force as Graf Ignatievo Air Base Welcomes Full First Batch of F-16 Fighter Jets

Irina Shopova

Eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets are being presented at an official ceremony in Graf Ignatievo Air Base, December 17, 2025 (BTA Photo/Boyan Botev)

Plovdiv, Southern Bulgaria,

18.12.2025 15:31

(BTA)

All eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets procured under Bulgaria’s first contract with the United States have arrived at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, were welcomed during an official ceremony on Thursday. These include six single-seat and two two-seat aircraft, all cleared for service and operational. Speakers at the ceremony described the arrival of the full first batch of F-16 as a new era for the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Attending the ceremony were outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth Tomislav Donchev, outgoing Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport and Communications Grozdan Karadjov, outgoing Interior Minister Daniel Mitov, Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev, and US Charge d'Affaires Martin McDowell.

The F-16 acquisition is part of Bulgaria’s broader military modernization program, aimed at strengthening technological capabilities and interoperability with NATO forces. The delivery follows the 2019 contract and the allocation of BGN 300 million for critical infrastructure, including 49 projects to support the operation and storage of the jets, with key projects certified by US experts now completed, said the Defence Minister. The program is also linked to Bulgaria’s national rearmament plan under the SAFE mechanism, which has been submitted to the European Commission for approval, with all projects preliminarily eligible for European funding.

Outgoing Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said that the F-16 Block 70 aircraft are a core combat platform for Bulgaria. In his words, their acquisition marks the fulfillment of a key measure in the outgoing government’s programme, which places strong emphasis on technological modernization and improving the interoperability of Bulgaria’s Armed Forces. “With this aircraft, we are introducing an entirely new defence system that requires a new approach and way of thinking in its operation. This reflects our determination to ensure the inviolability of the airspace, territory and maritime areas of the Republic of Bulgaria,” Zapryanov said.

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

Outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev described 2025 as a pivotal year for the Bulgarian Air Force, marking the start of a new era with the arrival of the first eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets. He emphasized that the Bulgarian Air Force and its pilots fully deserve these modern aircraft, expressing regret that they had not received them earlier. Donchev noted that significant work remains to be done to make sure all capabilities of the aircraft can be effectively utilized.

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, said US Charge d'Affaires Martin McDowell. "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. 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.

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