Bulgaria's costly F‑16 deal falters amid technical woes
The arrival of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft in Bulgaria ended with its grounding shortly afterward, which led to a scandal within the country. We explore the behind-the-scenes aspects of the confusion and what Bulgaria acquired for 1.2 billion U.S. dollars (CAD 1.65 billion).
The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft ordered by Bulgaria under the 2019 contract worth 1.2 billion U.S. dollars (CAD 1.65 billion) arrived in the country on April 2, 2025. Unfortunately, after inspection, a defect was found that rendered it unusable. The issue was still unresolved by May 6, when the aircraft was supposed to be a key feature of the military parade in Sofia.
Malfunctioning F-16 in Bulgaria sparked a political scandal
After the problem surfaced, the purchase of F-16 aircraft became a scandal in Bulgaria and is now being used as fuel for political battles. The Bulgarian Minister of Defence, Athanas Zapryanov, commented on the situation, noting that the issue was related to an electronic component. This component is to be replaced under the manufacturer's warranty, and Bulgarian F-16 aircraft are also supposed to have a three-year logistical support package.
However, it was revealed that the package does not include quick access to spare parts. This was omitted in favour of a cheaper option with longer delivery times, as noted by Dimitar Stoyanov, the President's Secretary of Defence, in a statement for the Defense Industry Europe portal. It is also important to point out that introducing a new type of aircraft into service often causes initial issues, which should, however, 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 previous versions. The most notable changes include the APG-83 SABR radar with an active electronically scanned array (AESA), new pilot cockpit equipment with a large central display (Centre Pedestal Display), an Auto GCAS system capable of bringing the aircraft to level flight from a dangerous situation even if the pilot is unconscious, an improved high-throughput data bus, and new electronic warfare equipment.
Furthermore, Lockheed Martin highlights an increase in aircraft airframe durability, extended by 50% to 12,000 hours compared to older F-16 versions. It's also noteworthy that some parts of these aircraft's fuselages are manufactured in Poland at the PZL Mielec facilities, and the current order volume is 148 aircraft.
