Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

MoD Atanas Zapryanov: First eight F-16s to arrive next year

Photo: BTA

Bulgaria will receive the first eight of the contracted sixteen F-16 Block 70 aircraft next year, caretaker Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov announced in Dolna Mitropolia. Two aircraft will arrive at the end of March and the remaining six at the end of September.

The minister said he hoped that by the time the first eight F-16s are delivered, the Bulgarian Army would have trained pilots to fly the fighter jets.

"We should be ready to start training people for the F-16s. All the pilots who are to be part of the programme are in training," Atanas Zapryanov was quoted as saying. He also stressed the importance of infrastructure, which he described as a major challenge.

The Minister of War visited the Georgi Benkovski Air Force Academy, where an augmented virtual reality system was inaugurated, enabling full-scale study of the F-16 Block 70 aircraft.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Bulgarian Judges Association raises concern over new antivirus software

Judges have opposed the introduction of a new antivirus agent on their computers. The magistrates fear that it could violate personal data protection rules and compromise the independence of the judiciary. In an official letter, the Bulgarian..

published on 11/26/25 12:21 PM

Boyko Borisov: Bulgaria will join the eurozone on January 1 despite protests

GERB leader Boyko Borisov said in Parliament that Bulgaria will become a member of the eurozone on January 1, regardless of protests organized by representatives of We Continue the Change Democratic Bulgaria (PP-DB). He was commenting on opposition..

published on 11/26/25 11:06 AM

Bulgaria at risk of non compliance with the EU's fiscal framework in 2026

Six countries, including Bulgaria, are at risk of non compliance with the EU fiscal framework in 2026. This is highlighted in the 2026 European Semester Autumn Package, adopted by the European Commission. Another 12 countries are urged to continue..

published on 11/26/25 10:06 AM