Bulgaria's $1.2bn (£900m) fighter jet deal grounded in scandal
The arrival of the first F-16 Block 70 aircraft in Bulgaria ended with its grounding shortly afterwards, causing a scandal in the country. We present the behind-the-scenes details of the confusion and what Bulgaria acquired for $1.2 billion (£900 million).
The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft ordered by Bulgaria under the 2019 contract worth $1.2 billion (£900 million) arrived in the country on 2nd April 2025. Unfortunately, after inspection, a defect was detected rendering the aircraft unusable. The problem was still unresolved by 6th May, when its flight was meant to be a key feature of the military parade in Sofia.
Malfunctioning F-16 in Bulgaria sparked a political scandal
Once the issue became public, the purchase of the F-16 aircraft resulted in a scandal in Bulgaria and is being exploited for political manoeuvring. The Bulgarian Minister of Defence, Athanas Zapryanov, commented on the matter, noting that the problem was related to an electronic component. This component is to be replaced under the manufacturer's warranty, and Bulgarian F-16 aircraft will also benefit from a three-year logistics support package.
However, it emerged that the package does not include quick access to spare parts. This was sacrificed in favour of a cheaper option with longer delivery times, as pointed out by Dimitar Stoyanov, the President's Secretary of Defence, in a statement for the Defence Industry Europe portal. It is also worth noting that the introduction of a new type of aircraft into service often causes initial problems which, however, should 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 modified aircraft compared to previous versions. The most substantial 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.
Additionally, Lockheed Martin boasts an increase in aircraft airframe durability, which has been extended by 50% to 12,000 hours compared to older F-16 versions. Noteworthy also is that some parts of these aircraft's fuselages are manufactured in Poland at the PZL Mielec facilities, with the current order volume standing at 148 aircraft.
