Lockheed Martin has announced the delivery of the first F-16 Block 70 jet to Bulgaria, marking a major step forward in the country’s efforts to modernize its air force.
The delivery was celebrated in a ceremony in Greenville, South Carolina, attended by Bulgaria’s Minister of Defence, Atanas Zapryanov, alongside American and Bulgarian leaders. F-16s are built by the Lockheed Martin team in Greenville. Bulgaria has ordered 16 total aircraft.
“The F-16 will help the Bulgarian Air Force stay ahead of threats in the region and play a key role in the allied peacekeeping mission in Europe and around the world,” said Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager – Integrated Fighter Group. “The F-16 has proven its air dominance time and again, and the Block 70 version will give the Bulgarian Air Force a highly capable, combat-proven aircraft.”
Lockheed Martin has a backlog of 117 F-16 Block 70/72 jets to be produced in Greenville, with 23 already delivered for international partners. The F-16 program supports more than 46,000 American jobs, making it a vital part of the country’s industrial base.
