The first two F-16 aircraft will be in Bulgaria by the end of April, and one finished fighter will remain in the United States for training. The first IRIS-T division is expected by the end of 2027.
This was announced by the acting Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov, BNR reports.
The first combat aircraft will be accepted on January 31 in Greenville. A total of eight of the 16 purchased combat aircraft are expected to be received by the end of the year, Zapryanov also said.
Two patrol frigates are also expected by the end of the year, which will be used in the Black Sea, announced Atanas Zapryanov: "70% of Bulgaria's exports pass through the Black Sea. i.e. Blocking the Black Sea means blocking the economies of Romania, Bulgaria, and a large part of Europe, so in this regard we will continue to take care of security in the Black Sea.
On Wednesday, a Bulgarian admiral will take command of the mine countermeasures group in the Black Sea, the acting Minister of Defense also said and presented more measures to improve defense capabilities.
"By the end of the year, we also expect deliveries of the first "Stryker" combat vehicles, which will be assembled at the Bulgarian enterprise "Terem Ivaylo" - Veliko Tarnovo. In addition, we plan to supply 155-millimeter artillery mounts and unmanned aerial vehicles," he pointed out.