Bulgaria's billion-dollar fighter jet grounded amid scandal
The arrival of Bulgaria's first F-16 Block 70 aircraft ended with its immediate grounding, sparking a scandal in the country. We delve into the confusion and what Bulgaria has acquired for 1.2 billion dollars.
The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft ordered by Bulgaria as part of the 2019 contract, valued at 1.2 billion dollars, landed in the country on April 2, 2025. However, during an inspection, a defect was discovered, rendering the aircraft unusable. Unfortunately, the issue remained unresolved by May 6, when the aircraft was supposed to be a highlight of the military parade in Sofia.
Malfunctioning F-16 in Bulgaria sparks political scandal
The revelation of the aircraft's issues led to a political scandal in Bulgaria, fueling ongoing political disputes. Bulgaria's Minister of Defense, Athanas Zapryanov, addressed the situation, stating the defect was linked to an electronic component. This component will be replaced under the manufacturer's warranty, and the Bulgarian F-16 aircraft will also receive a three-year logistics support package.
However, it was revealed that the package does not include immediate access to spare parts. This exclusion favored a more cost-effective option with longer delivery times, as noted by Dimitar Stoyanov, the President's Secretary of Defense, in a statement to the Defense Industry Europe portal. Moreover, introducing a new aircraft type usually involves initial challenges, which are expected to be resolved over time.
F-16 Block 70/72 - the pinnacle of NATO's workhorse evolution
The F-16 Block 70/72 is a significantly upgraded aircraft compared to its predecessors. The most notable enhancements include the APG-83 SABR radar with active electronically scanned array (AESA), advanced pilot cockpit equipment featuring a large central display (Center Pedestal Display), an Auto GCAS system capable of recovering the aircraft from a dangerous situation even if the pilot is incapacitated, an improved high-throughput data bus, and new electronic warfare systems.
Lockheed Martin also highlights increased airframe durability, now extended by 50% to 12,000 hours compared to earlier F-16 models. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that parts of these aircraft's fuselages are produced in Poland at the PZL Mielec facilities, and the current order includes 148 aircraft.
