The Bulgarian Air Force is facing difficulties with the induction of its new F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, acquired from Lockheed Martin, due to technical problems that have so far prevented them from becoming operational. Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov reported, in a written response to MP Tsoncho Ganev from the Vazrazhdane party, that a fuel leak was detected in one of the two fighters received this year. The issue occurred in a two-seat F-16D Block 70, involving losses in one of the internal fuel tank compartments.
Engineers from Graf Ignatievo Air Base, together with technical representatives from the United States, carried out work to identify the cause of the malfunction. A report was submitted and, after consultations with the U.S. side, it was agreed that a Lockheed Martin specialist would travel to Bulgaria to perform the repair. Zapryanov stated that the Bulgarian Air Force maintains regular consultations with its U.S. partners and has already requested additional spare parts and materials.
The country received its first F-16 Block 70, tail number 301, in April of this year. The aircraft, a two-seater, arrived at the Third Air Base in Graf Ignatievo after a flight from Greenville, South Carolina, with a stopover in Spain and aerial refueling by a KC-135 from the Tennessee Air National Guard. According to the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, the aircraft initially flew with U.S. Air Force markings, which were replaced with Bulgarian insignia upon arrival.
In June, Bulgaria received the second fighter jet, tail number 313, in single-seat configuration. During the handover ceremony, Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov stated: “The process of accepting the new F-16 Block 70 platform into our Air Force and the Bulgarian Armed Forces continues successfully. Welcome to our second fighter aircraft, which arrived today at the Third Air Base. We continue with the acceptance and refinement of the new aircraft. The goal remains: to receive the eight F-16s from the first contract this year. We are working hard to achieve initial operational capabilities in real terms.”
However, at present, the two delivered aircraft are not yet performing national airspace protection missions. The contract signed in 2019 stipulates the delivery of a total of eight aircraft by the end of 2025. A second phase foresees the arrival of another eight aircraft by 2027, when Bulgaria would complete a squadron of sixteen F-16 Block 70s.
Zapryanov noted that it is not possible to specify the delivery dates for the remaining six aircraft from the first contract, as flight planning from the United States is a complex process. Meanwhile, technical work on the affected F-16 continues to enable its entry into service.
Images for illustrative purposes only.
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