Bulgaria’s long-anticipated acquisition of the F-16 Block 70 fighter jet has encountered a setback after a technical deviation was identified in the aircraft’s systems during the acceptance process.
The issue was confirmed by Bulgarian Air Force Commander Major General Nikolay Rusev, who stressed that the deviation does not mean the aircraft is defective but has temporarily rendered it non-operational.
The problem was discovered after the aircraft landed in Bulgaria, although it remains unclear whether it occurred during the delivery flight or upon arrival.
The aircraft, a two-seater combat training version delivered by U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin, arrived at the Third Air Base on April 2 and was officially welcomed during a ceremony held on March 13.
Major General Rusev emphasized that the aircraft acceptance is a two-stage process—technical and flight—and both must be completed before the aircraft can be inducted into active service.
As part of the flight phase, at least two test flights must be conducted with a Bulgarian pilot. The aircraft will remain grounded until these are completed and the pilot confirms airworthiness.
Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov assured the public that all financial resources for the acquisition, including infrastructure development at the newly built Third Air Base, have been secured.
He also noted ongoing coordination with the United States to ensure the timely delivery of spare parts and support systems essential to the aircraft’s long-term operation. However, the grounding has sparked a wave of political controversy.
GERB party leader and former Prime Minister Boyko Borissov accused President Rumen Radev of misleading the public about the aircraft’s operational status, calling for the dismissal of the Air Force Chief if it were proven that the jet could not fly.
President Radev refrained from confirming the aircraft’s inability to fly but criticized the broader shortcomings in defense procurement and planning.
Former Defense Minister and current Presidential Secretary for Defense Dimitar Stoyanov, who is also an aircraft engineer, confirmed the aircraft is grounded due to a damaged component not included in the original spare parts package.
According to Stoyanov, the omission was made to reduce the total cost of the deal approved under Borissov’s government.
He criticized both Borissov and former Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov for agreeing to a reduced package without guaranteed 24-hour spare parts delivery.
Stoyanov also refuted Minister Zapryanov’s claim that a second F-16 is en route to Bulgaria, asserting no other aircraft is scheduled to arrive in the immediate future.
The Ministry of Defense, in an extraordinary briefing, acknowledged the presence of a technical issue and confirmed that the aircraft would not participate in the upcoming May 6 military parade.
As of now, Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 remains grounded. The Bulgarian Air Force awaits delivery of the necessary replacement part, which will allow the aircraft to complete its acceptance tests and enter operational service.
The rest of the aircraft from the initial contract are expected to arrive in phases through 2025, with a second batch of eight more jets scheduled by 2027.