Text size

President Rumen Radev co-pilots F-16, praises the aircraft's capabilities

published on 9/13/24 11:56 AM

Photo: BGNES

President Rumen Radev was co-pilot in an F-16 fighter piloted by an Italian pilot. The demonstration flight from the Graf Ignatyevo airbase lasted 40 minutes.

"The F-16 flight took me back to 2005, when General Clark, then a captain, and I flew such a fighter. At that time, I was the commander of the Graf Ignatyevo Air Base, and the NATO defence planning process was initiated after our accession," Radev said.

He recalled that thanks to cooperation with the US, "we have mastered many modern tactics, techniques and procedures, we have mastered the full capabilities of the MiG-29 and our pilots are no longer inferior to their American counterparts".

Radev expressed confidence that the acquisition of the F-16 Block 70 would remove a number of technical limitations for Bulgarian aviation. "In order to fully exploit the capabilities of this wonderful aircraft, we need to continue working with the pilots at Aviano Air Base," Radev added.

Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!

Radio Bulgaria News co pilot f16 rumen radev

More from category

World public service media meet in Sofia, discuss current challenges

There is no democracy and freedom without freedom of speech and pluralism, said President Rumen Radev at the opening, in Sofia, of the annual Public Broadcasters International Conference (PBI 2025) . For the first time, the Bulgarian National Radio..

published on 10/21/25 2:05 PM

BNR hosts the 2025 edition of the annual Public Broadcasters International conference

For the first time, the Bulgarian National Radio (BNR) is hosting the annual Public Broadcasters International conference . The conference brings together public media bosses and executives from 24 countries across five continents. The theme..

published on 10/21/25 10:42 AM

Bulgaria wants to invite mayors from Taraclia to gain insight into how the European Union functions

Bulgaria supports the start of EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, said Bulgaria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Georg Georgiev during the EU Foreign Affairs Council held in Luxembourg. European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos..

published on 10/21/25 9:54 AM