The Council of Ministers ordered the "State Consolidation Company" EAD, in its capacity as a body exercising the rights of the state in "Avionams" AD, to assign to its subsidiary public enterprise the implementation of public policy goals - building basic national capabilities for the maintenance of F-16 block 70 fighters. This was announced by the government press service.
It is envisaged that the fulfillment of the public policy objectives will be realized upon signing an Agreement between "Avionams" AD and Lockheed Martin Global INC, regarding the F-16 Block 70 Industrial Cooperation Program.
It is also planned to bring the existing capacities and infrastructure of "Avionams" AD in accordance with the requirements of Lockheed Martin Global INC, as well as delivery and installation in "Avionams" AD to the free equipment, tools, spare parts, samples and training materials provided by Lockheed Martin Global INC, as well as recruitment and training of personnel.
The government's decision is related to the implementation of the Framework Agreement signed in 2019 between the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Bulgaria and Lockheed Martin Global INC regarding the F-16 block 70 industrial cooperation program. The agreement provides for "Lockheed Martin Global" INC to identify Bulgarian companies that meet the requirements and are able to implement the projects related to the creation of basic capabilities for the performance of repair and maintenance activities of systems related to the operation of the new fighters.
After an investigation by the manufacturer, it was established that the state enterprise "Avionams" AD meets the conditions and can perform activities provided for in the Program for Industrial Cooperation F-16 Block 70.
The construction of basic national capabilities for the maintenance of an F-16 block 70 fighter on the territory of our country will allow Bulgaria to carry out its own, independent and unmediated by a second party logistical support and operation throughout the long life cycle of the acquired defense equipment, establishing on its own technological base.
In this way, greater independence, speed of action and higher efficiency are achieved, compared to the eventual transportation of the equipment to another country, and security of supply is guaranteed.
DKK will control the specific activities.