On February 3, 2025, the first F-16 Viper built by Lockheed Martin was delivered to the Bulgarian Air Force in Greenville, South Carolina. This move marks an important milestone in the modernization of the Bulgarian Air Force, which plans to replace its existing fleet of 12 Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-29s with the modern Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70s. The deal is not only a sign of Bulgaria's growing military ambitions, but also of the strengthened strategic relations between Bulgaria and the United States.
The purchase of the F-16 Viper is described by Bulgaria as "a determined effort" to improve the capabilities of the Bulgarian armed forces. As Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev stressed in a statement in January 2023, it is "a huge project that reflects a determined effort to strengthen our country's defense capability." The replacement of the older MiG-29 with the F-16 Block 70 represents a fundamental change in Bulgaria's military aviation.
The F-16 Block 70: A top-class multirole fighter aircraft
The F-16 Fighting Falcon, also known as the Viper, is one of the world's most recognizable and versatile combat aircraft. Since its introduction, it has won over 30 air forces worldwide as customers, including the US military, which uses the F-16 as an aggressor aircraft. The Block 70 model, which Bulgaria is now integrating into its air force, represents the latest evolution of the F-16 series and offers a number of advanced technologies that significantly expand the aircraft's capabilities.
The Block 70 model is specifically designed for long-duration operations and offers a number of improvements over previous versions, particularly in the areas of avionics and weapons capabilities. Notable features include a sophisticated APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar that enables better target tracking and more accurate threat engagement. In addition, the Block 70 model is equipped with an improved cockpit that includes a 6-inch by 8-inch display for maps and zoom views.
Another outstanding feature of the F-16 Block 70 is the so-called Auto GCAS (Ground Collision Avoidance System) technology, which helps to prevent collisions with the ground and increases the safety of the aircraft. The model is equipped with a variety of new systems that enable improved coordination with other allies, especially through the integrated data link, which enables effective communication with other fighter jets.
The F-16 Block 70 is equipped with a General Electric F110-GE-129 engine that produces 28.000 pounds of thrust and provides more than 12.000 flight hours – 4.000 hours more than previous block models of the F-16.
The strategic importance of the purchase
For Bulgaria, the acquisition of the F-16 Viper represents not only a technological upgrade, but also an important step towards strengthening national defense capabilities. Compared to the old MiG-29s that the Bulgarian Air Force has been using so far, the F-16 offers significantly improved performance characteristics, including greater range, expanded weapons capabilities and more advanced threat-fighting systems. These factors make the F-16 Block 70 a much more flexible and capable system than the MiG-29, which is not as aligned to the Western standard for modern combat aircraft.
The purchase of these sophisticated fighter jets not only gives Bulgaria access to more modern weapons and systems, but also greater integration into the international security community, especially NATO. US influence and the partnership with Lockheed Martin play a key role in this. The purchase of the F-16 is also a clear response to the increasing geopolitical tensions in the region, especially with regard to Russian activities in Eastern Europe.
F-16 Block 70: A model for international use
The F-16 Block 70 is an aircraft that plays a leading role in both air defense and offensive missions due to its versatility and flexibility. The aircraft can be equipped with a wide range of precision weapons and is capable of successfully conducting both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat missions. This versatility is an important advantage for Bulgaria, which is located in a strategically sensitive region.
In addition, the F-16 models have a long service life and are expected to remain in service in air forces around the world for at least another four decades. Bulgaria therefore benefits not only from an immediate improvement in its air force, but also from the long-term availability of spare parts, training and maintenance support from Lockheed Martin and the F-16 coalition.
Prospects for the Bulgarian Air Force
The decision to replace the MiG-29 with the F-16 represents a fundamental change in Bulgaria's military direction. It is an investment in the future of national defense that not only strengthens the air force but also significantly improves the country's ability to participate internationally in peacekeeping missions and multinational operations. With the F-16 Block 70, Bulgaria will be able to play an even more significant role in NATO and bring its air force up to date with the latest technology.
The partnership with the US is further strengthened by this purchase, and Bulgaria benefits from close relations with the Western military powers. As Mike Shoemaker, Vice President of Lockheed Martin, emphasized, the F-16 will help the Bulgarian Air Force "stay ahead of threats in the region and play a key role in keeping peace in Europe and around the world."
and 