site.btaUPDATED Defence Minister on F-16 Controversy: A Technical Glitch Turned into Domestic and Foreign Policy Issue

"Unfortunately, one technical glitch has turned into an internal and foreign policy issue, with a political dividend [for some], and unfortunately, this started from the highest level in the country - from President [Rumen] Radev, his advisers, leaders of political parties. These people know best that we are dealing with technical problems, which is a daily occurrence in the Bulgarian army," Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov told journalists during a visit at Third Air Base at Graf Ignatievo Friday. He was commenting reporters of a deviation in the operation of one of the systems after the landing of the F-16 aircraft.

He said that the glitch has been identified and will be fixed promptly.

The contract we have signed with the US government is being implemented, Zapryanov stressed. 

The existence of a malfunction in a newly delivered F-16 transpired earlier this week as President Radev and former Prime Minister and GERB leader Boyko Borissov clashed over it. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Valencia, Spain, Borissov stated: “Radev hinted to the reporters travelling with him that one of the F-16s was out of order and not flying, and urged them to question [Defense Minister Atanas] Zapryanov.” He added that he had already told Zapryanov the Air Force chief should be dismissed if Radev’s claim proved accurate, asking: “How could anyone agree to buy a faulty aircraft for 100 million dollars?” Radev responded that instead of shifting blame to pilots and Defense Ministry officials who “work tirelessly to mitigate political negligence,” Borissov and his government should ensure adequate funding so that the “excellent, combat-capable aircraft” can remain operational—though he warned this would be challenging. He emphasized that Bulgaria paid a high price for the F-16s, a decision made by Borissov’s cabinet in 2019.

During a briefing on April 30 about the F-16 Block 70, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev clarified that a deviation in one of the systems of Bulgaria’s first F-16 had been detected after landing. However, he stressed that this did not mean the aircraft was defective.

Later that day, the Defense Ministry issued a press release stating that full financial resources for the F-16 Block 70 acquisition have been secured, including funding for infrastructure development at Graf Ignatievo Air Base, where construction is ongoing. The contract also includes lifecycle support and performance guarantees for the aircraft.  

On Friday, the Defence Minister also commented that technical issues in the Bulgarian Army arise every day, adding that the country is currently training 63 mechanics who will maintain the F-16 fighter jets. There are American pilots in Bulgaria, as well as Lockheed Martin mechanics - who will remain for three years - and U S Air Force personnel, who will be stationed in Bulgaria for at least one year. Zapryanov explained that they are working on the technical testing of the aircraft, and the handover process is being carried out jointly with Bulgarian specialists.

“I met with the American mechanics and pilots, and I will report honestly, openly, and accurately what I know so that Members of Parliament are properly informed about how a minor technical issue is being turned into major conspiracy theories, internal political battles, and foreign policy insinuations,” said Zapryanov in reference to his upcoming hearing before the parliamentary committee overseeing the security services. He added that the US supplies aircraft to more than 120 countries worldwide and that technical issues can occur. “If anyone is trying to use this to damage US-Bulgarian relations, they will not succeed,” he emphasized.

Zapryanov further stated that he has full confidence in the personnel - technical and flight crews alike. “These people do not deserve such treatment, especially not accusations of treason. That is pure cynicism. The army is depoliticized, and I will defend that depoliticization. No politician or state official - including the supreme commander-in-chief - should question the integrity of our personnel,” the minister concluded.

Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces is the President of the country.