Exchange of sharp remarks and mutual accusations between the leader of GERB-SDF and the head of state after it became clear that the first F-16 fighter jet that Bulgaria owns has a technical problem.
That after the landing of the first Bulgarian F-16, a deviation was found in the operation of one of the systems, announced the commander of the Air Force Nikolay Rusev. However, he specified that this does not mean that the aircraft is broken.
“While the aircraft is being accepted in its technical part, this deviation will be included in the standards, so that the flight acceptance can be carried out normally”, explained Rusev. The Air Force commander emphasized that the aircraft will fly when it is ready for flight. "I will not accept any additional risk for the pilots, the engineering and technical staff and the new aviation equipment," he was categorical.
And the scandal with our first fighter jet is also entering the parliament, announced the chairman of the Committee for Control over the Services Atanas Atanasov. On May 8, the committee will discuss possible unregulated access by an enemy force to classified information related to one of the combat aircraft's systems. Possible sabotage against the official acceptance of the fighter jet will also be considered.
"I am surprised that Borisov is raising the topic of the F-16, because it is very vulnerable. Radev has managed over 5,000 people in the Air Force, and in a high-risk environment of underfunding. Thanks to him, the Air Force entered the 21st century, everything before him was a copy-paste of Soviet doctrine. For example, air combat entered the training of pilots under his leadership, he introduced many methods into their work. Radev's contribution to the Air Force cannot be commented on," said political analyst Slavi Vassilev in the studio of "Hello, Bulgaria."
"Boyko Borisov himself chose the F-16 when he was in power, and experts called for the "Gripen". This is a political decision, and since the F-16 is expensive, the package for its spare parts was cut. In 2019, this is precisely why the president vetoed the purchase of the aircraft. It cannot fly because one block has a defect, it will be replaced when the US decides to send it to us", added Slavi Vassilev.
On Wednesday, the GERB-SDF leader said that billions were given only for the Air Force, and the most serious incidents were there. "In fact, Radev commanded only one thing - namely the Air Force and all the problems are there, now we bought them the best planes, they will just learn to fly them. And we continue to listen to him instruct us, and the only place he has been is there. The F-16 is an ultra-modern plane. Now the army has been modernized, salaries have been raised - nothing better has happened since 1989", Borisov also pointed out.
In turn, political scientist Assoc. Prof. Stoycho Stoychev explained that the issue of the maintenance package would not have been on the agenda if a problem with the fighter had not been reported. "The entire discussion was around the suspicions of a malicious defect and sabotage. In order to survive as key political leaders, Borisov and Radev must be in a constant battle. Otherwise, they will be accused of doing something together," commented Assoc. Prof. Stoychev.