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The first F-16 fighter jets arrive in Bulgaria in 4 months

Some pilots have failed in their training. The infrastructure is also a challenge, explained the Minister of Defense

Nov 14, 2024 14:56 121

The first F-16 fighter jets arrive in Bulgaria in 4 months  - 1

The first F-16 fighter jets will arrive in Bulgaria in four months. This was announced by the Acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov.

„Bulgaria will receive eight F-16 aircraft next year. The first two will arrive in late March - early April 2025. The following – the second quarter of the year, at the end of the third quarter all eight planes will be in Bulgaria”, explained Zapryanov, quoted by BTA.

He added that the training of the airmen should begin. Weeks ago, the first F-16 fighter jet was tested.

„All the pilots that are scheduled have been sent for training. Some did not make it and came back, their preparation continues. We already have a trained pilot and instructor. "I hope we will have enough pilots when the first eight planes arrive," the defense minister added.

„F-16s we will get them, but they cannot sit on the ground. We must immediately proceed to combat training pilot training. If pilots don't fly a certain amount of time, we'll have to bring them back for retraining. That's why we're in a hurry with the infrastructure, it's a big challenge”, Zapryanov explained.

"The combat capability, modernization and rearmament of the Bulgarian Army are a key task. It is important that the state's proactive policy in this direction continues". This was stated by Prime Minister Dimitar Glavchev at the "Georgi Benkovski" Higher Air Force School, Dolna Mitropolia, where he participated in the ceremonial presentation of the virtual reality system for training the "F-16 Block 70". and on the two newly acquired helicopters “CABRI“ for training cadets.

"I am convinced that the next governments, in whatever format they are, will continue this trend, which is NATO-wide and worldwide – we will continue to modernize and re-equip our army", added Glavchev. The Prime Minister also pointed out that, as a member of NATO, our country can also rely on the collective capabilities of the Alliance.