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Bulgaria received the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet marking a major step forward in the European nation’s efforts to modernize its air force. Lockheed Martin delivered the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 jet during a ceremony attended by American and Bulgarian leaders.

The first of the 16 F-16 fighter jets was delivered to Bulgaria in a ceremony held in Greenville, South Carolina. Bulgaria’s Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov attended the delivery ceremony alongside several key U.S. and Bulgarian leaders.

The event marked the beginning of the renewal of combat aviation and the development of new capabilities by the Bulgarian Armed Forces. By acquiring the F-16 Block 70 aircraft Bulgaria aims to ensure full interoperability with NATO and EU allies.

Bulgaria signed its first Letter of Acceptance (LOA) for eight F-16 jets in 2019. Later in 2022, the European nation signed a second LOA for an additional eight F-16 aircraft. Later in October 2024, Lockheed Martin conducted a successful flight test of multiple systems of the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 aircraft. These system tests validated the performance and supersonic capabilities of the aircraft during the flight.

Vice President and General Manager of Integrated Fighter Group, Mike Shoemaker said, “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.” 

Shoemaker further highlighted that “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.”

The F-16 Block 70/72 is the latest and most advanced variant of the F-16 Fighting Falcon, featuring cutting-edge avionics, improved radar, enhanced survivability, and extended lifespan. It combines the best elements of previous F-16 versions with new technology derived from fifth-generation fighters like the F-22 and F-35. The Block 70/72 jets offer a next-generation fighter capability at a lower cost compared to fifth-generation jets

The F-16 aircraft is a strategic and valuable choice for countries seeking advanced fourth-generation fighter jet capabilities at affordable lifecycle costs. The latest version of the aircraft, the Block 70/72 offers advanced capabilities and will be flown by at least six countries.

At present, there are several hundred F-16 jets operating across Europe. Romania, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Greece, and Turkey, among other European states, are using F-16s to protect airspace and support integrated NATO peacekeeping missions.

Lockheed Martin has a production backlog of 117 F-16 Block 70/72 jets at its Greenville facility, with 23 already delivered to international partners. The F-16 program sustains over 46,000 American jobs, playing a crucial role in the nation’s industrial base.

Key Features

The AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is one of the most significant upgrades in the Block 70/72 variant. Derived from the F-35’s APG-81 radar, it offers superior range, tracking speed, and precision targeting. Unlike older mechanically scanned radars, the AESA system enables simultaneous air-to-air and air-to-ground tracking, providing pilots with enhanced situational awareness. Additionally, it improves the aircraft’s survivability in contested environments, making it more resilient to enemy jamming and electronic warfare threats.

The F-16 Block 70/72 features a high-resolution 6″ x 8″ Center Pedestal Display (CPD), which provides a modernized interface for pilots to manage mission data efficiently. The aircraft is equipped with an enhanced mission computer and avionics architecture, significantly increasing data processing speed and integration with advanced weapons and sensors. Inspired by fifth-generation fighter technology, the upgraded cockpit improves pilot ergonomics and workload management, making it easier to operate in high-stress combat environments.

The airframe of the F-16 Block 70/72 has been reinforced to extend its service life to 12,000 flight hours, compared to the 8,000-hour lifespan of earlier models. This enhancement ensures longer operational use while reducing maintenance costs over time. The aircraft is powered by two engine options: the F110-GE-129 for the Block 70 and the F100-PW-229 for the Block 72. Both engines deliver higher thrust, better fuel efficiency, and improved durability, providing enhanced performance across a range of missions.

The Block 70/72 variant is compatible with a wide array of advanced munitions, making it a formidable multi-role combat aircraft. For air-to-air engagements, it can carry the AIM-9X Sidewinder and AIM-120 AMRAAM, allowing for superior dogfighting and beyond-visual-range (BVR) engagements. In air-to-ground roles, the aircraft can deploy JDAM (Joint Direct Attack Munition), Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), and AGM-88 HARM for precision strikes.

Additionally, it supports AGM-158 JASSM (Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile) for long-range strikes and Harpoon missiles for maritime operations. The aircraft’s high off-boresight targeting capability enables pilots to engage enemy aircraft from a wider range of angles without needing to maneuver into a direct attack position.

To improve survivability, the F-16 Block 70/72 is equipped with the AN/ALQ-211(V)9 Integrated Viper Electronic Warfare Suite (Viper Shield). This system provides advanced jamming capabilities, countermeasures against enemy radar and missile threats, and improved situational awareness in contested environments. Additionally, the aircraft is fitted with the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS), a life-saving technology that automatically corrects flight paths to prevent crashes due to pilot disorientation or G-force-induced loss of consciousness.