Our country expects the first two F-16 aircraft at the end of the first quarter, and by the end of the third, all 8 aircraft from the first contract will be delivered. In October, the manufacturer showed a test flight of only one of the Bulgarian machines. At the earliest after 2030, almost a quarter of a century after joining NATO, the entire F-16 squadron is expected to take over the security tasks from the MiG-29.
This is predicted by "Frognews".
The project for the new radars is awaiting a court decision, the Ministry of Defense informed. But there is no money in the budget for them either. However, the radars are important for the use of the F-16 in the Air Force.
Funds will also be needed for the postponed decision on the purchase of Javelin missiles. The contract is for about 114 million dollars.
In 2025, new American infantry vehicles are also expected. Deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of this year.
By June, the first new ship of the fleet - – "Brave" - will undergo tests and will be accepted into service at the end of the year.
The increase in military salaries remains in question. The promise was that there would be a 30 percent increase from the beginning of 2025. Depending on the positions, the money will reach from 2,300 leva to 6,700 leva. In total, the increase will cost the budget over 500 million leva additionally.
But the lack of a budget will probably postpone the decision. The military tied the payment to interest in the military profession. And in its absence, it is possible that there will be military training for civilians. However, this issue remained to be resolved by a regular cabinet.
The army is expected to have 2.09% of GDP this year, amid NATO calls to reach 3 percent and 5% of GDP at the request of the new US President Donald Trump.