The U.S. State Department has approved the sale to Bulgaria of eight F-16 Viper fighter jets and associated equipment, weapons and training for an estimated $1.673 billion. The acquisition by Bulgaria will upgrade its aerial and combat capabilities that are currently reliant on the US and UK.
Following the delivery of the fighter jets, Bulgaria’s capability to provide for the defense of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the United States and NATO will be enhanced.
Bulgaria’s parliament recently approved the budget to purchase the fighter jets (to be delivered by Lockheed Martin) to replace its current fleet of Soviet-built MiG-29 jets. The F-16 viper will come with a wide range of assorted weapons, support, and training for the Bulgarian servicemen.
The F-16 Viper variant includes an active electronically scanned array radar, a new mission computer and electronic warfare suite, automated ground collision avoidance system, and various cockpit improvements. It first flew in October 2015.
