Lockheed Martin and the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence have officially celebrated the arrival of Bulgaria's first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet, marking the start of a new chapter in the nation's air defence capabilities. The ceremony, held on Sunday, symbolised not only the delivery of a new aircraft but also a strategic advancement in Bulgaria's defence readiness and its growing role in European and NATO security cooperation.
Bulgaria has ordered a total of 16 F-16 Block 70 aircraft, with the first batch of eight scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025. These advanced fighter jets are expected to play a critical role in securing Bulgarian airspace and enhancing the country's interoperability with allied forces.
Mike Shoemaker, Vice President and General Manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, spoke at the event, highlighting the broader significance of the delivery: “This is not just a celebration of a new aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force – it represents a new era of enhanced security, advanced capabilities and strengthened partnerships in the region.” He further emphasised Lockheed Martin's role in building bridges between Bulgaria and the United States, united in the shared goal of promoting peace through strength.
The F-16 Block 70 is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including the Northrop Grumman APG-83 AESA radar, advanced avionics, a structural service life of 12,000 hours, and key safety systems such as the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS). The Auto GCAS has already saved 13 pilots in 12 separate incidents since its introduction in 2014, underlining the aircraft's exceptional safety record.
With this delivery, Bulgaria joins a European fleet of over 700 F-16s and a global network exceeding 3,100 aircraft. Lockheed Martin is currently managing a production backlog of 114 F-16 Block 70/72 jets at its Greenville, South Carolina facility, with 26 already delivered to international partners.
