Bulgaria buys additional 8 F-16s
Given that the time required to produce the new F-16s is about three years, Bulgaria should sign a contract for the delivery of 8 additional Lockheed Martin F-16C iD Block 70/72 Fighting Falcon fighter jets in the period 2023-2025 , in order to This was supported by the timely replacement of MiG-29s that would be withdrawn (at the end of the decade, due to the expiration of their prescribed lifespan), said the Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, Major General Canko Stojkov, in an interview published on May 22 by the Information Center. Bulgarian Ministry of Defense.
Speaking about the preparations of the Bulgarian Air Force for the reception of its first 8 F-16s (6 one-seater and two two-seater), for which an agreement was reached with the USA in July 2019 within the Foreign Military Sales program worth 1.673 billion dollars, Cankov informed that the pilots to undergo training in the United States already determined and that the first four will go to training in June.
- American partners have developed training programs and provided six more training places in fiscal 2021 (starting on October 1, 2020 and ending on September 30, 2021, author's note) - said the commander of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, adding that the first 8 bugarskih pilota trebalo da završe svoju obuku do trenutka kada prvi F- 16 isporučeni Bugarskoj budu 2023. godine.
Speaking about other priorities of the Armed Forces of Bulgaria, Major General Stojkov revealed that a project for the procurement of new types of anti-aircraft missile weapons has been launched with the aim of in the period 2025-2032. procurement of short- and medium-range air defense systems. In the meantime, the existing mobile long-range air defense systems S-300P (NATO: SA-10 Grumble) will be modernized by 2021 with the procurement of tactical communication systems for the transmission of information via voice and data as well as a new system of self-recognition IFF (Identification Friend or Foe).
Stojkov also said that to support the modernization of the Bulgarian air defense system, seven 3D radars will be procured, of which five large and two short-range. Although it did not specify the expected procurement deadline, an earlier report by the Information Center of the Ministry of Defense, published on March 20, confirmed that Bulgaria would be in favor of the mentioned procurement of mobile radars in the period 2023-2024. spent 153.3 to 204.4 million euros.
Among the top priorities of the Bulgarian Armed Forces, Major General Stojkov also mentioned the project of major modernization of declared military units and platforms for self-identification systems (Mode 5 IFF), including radar systems that transmit data to NATO's integrated air and missile defense system (NATINAMDS - NATO Integrated Air). and Missile Defense System).
The commander of the Bulgarian Air Force announced a plan to continue sending flight crews for training to the neighboring countries of Northern Macedonia and Serbia.
- We are monitoring the development of the situation with the Covid-19 virus in order to organize the preparation of flight crews for Mi-17 and Mi-24 helicopter simulators in Northern Macedonia, as well as the simulator for the MiG-29 aircraft in Serbia - said Major General Stojkov.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense announced on April 8 that it had received approval from the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency to pay quarterly installments for equipment procured through the Foreign Military Sales program. This should enable the Ministry of Defense to have an adaptable financial scheme for military modernization projects through the procurement of American defense products and services, and at the same time reduce the burden on defense budget resources in the coming years.
