Bulgaria Receives First F-16 Block 70 Fighter Jet

Bulgaria’s first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet has arrived at the 3rd Air Base in Graf Ignatievo, the country’s Ministry of Defence announced on April 2.

The aircraft, a two-seater F-16D Block 70 (serial number MW-01, tail number "301"), was officially handed over by the U.S. on January 31 before making its journey to Bulgaria.

The official induction ceremony is scheduled for April 12. Bulgaria ordered a total of 16 F-16 Block 70 fighter jets through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program under agreements signed in 2019 and 2022, valued at approximately $2.4 billion. The country will receive its first eight aircraft in 2025, with the remaining eight expected by 2027.

The F-16D Block 70 is equipped with the AN/APG-83 SABR AESA radar, capable of detecting air targets at distances of around 130 km and conducting radar reconnaissance in SAR/ISAR mode at up to 170 km. The jet is also compatible with AIM-120D long-range air-to-air missiles.

Lockheed Martin, the aircraft’s manufacturer, delivered the first F-16 Block 70 to Bulgaria in early February and remains committed to fulfilling the full order. The second aircraft is expected to arrive by April 2025.