site.btaSenior Bulgarian Defence Officials Seek to Defuse Political Controversy over F-16 Glitch, Call It Routine Hardware Deviation

Senior Bulgarian defense officials sought to defuse political controversy on Friday over a technical issue in one of the newly delivered F-16 fighter jets, calling the matter a routine hardware problem that has been misrepresented for political gain. The matter was in the focus of a news briefing that Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev and Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov held after visiting the Third Air Base at Graf Ignatievo, Southern Bulgaria.

Earlier on Friday, it transpired that the Parliamentary Committee for Control of the Security Services will hold a hearing on Thursday in connection with a possible unauthorized access by a hostile force to classified information concerning one of the systems of the F-16 Block 70 fighter jet, according to the agenda published on the National Assembly website. The Committee will also examine concerns of a potential act of sabotage aimed at obstructing the official induction of the aircraft into service with the Bulgarian Air Force.

The malfunction issue

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.  

Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev reiterated Friday that the issue - detected shortly after the aircraft’s landing - was a hardware deviation, not a software malfunction or data breach. “We have no access to the software, and nothing has been leaked,” Gen. Rusev stated during a briefing at the Third Air Base in Graf Ignatievo. He emphasized that the jet has not yet been officially accepted by Bulgaria, and any malfunctioning parts remain the responsibility of the U.S. side. Repairs are expected promptly.

Rusev also criticized what he described as slanderous attacks on airbase personnel. “These are people working around the clock to support the new infrastructure and do not deserve such treatment,” he said.

Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov denounced the escalation as a misuse of a technical issue for political purposes. "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," Zapryanov said.

Zapryanov reaffirmed his confidence in the Bulgarian military, warning against politicizing the armed forces. "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.

Bulgaria is set to receive up to eight more F-16s in 2025, with training to begin "as soon as possible".