The delivery of the F-16 fighter jets is just the beginning of the political commitment to the logistics, maintenance and building of real defense capabilities of the Bulgarian Air Force. This was stated by the Head of State Rumen Radev at a meeting at the presidential institution with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Europe and NATO at the US Department of Defense David Baker.
He is visiting us on the occasion of the delivery of the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet for the Bulgarian Air Force. The meeting was also attended by the acting US Embassy in Bulgaria, Susan Falatko.
By the end of the year, Bulgaria expects to receive the first 8 F-16 fighter jets and is looking forward to receiving the remaining 8 as soon as possible to form a full-fledged squadron, Rumen Radev said during the meeting. “In order to be successful in operating the new F-16 aircraft, Bulgaria must have sufficiently well-prepared military pilots“, the president said and raised the issue of optimizing the training program for Bulgarian military pilots in cooperation with the United States. According to the head of state, if part of the training process is carried out in Bulgaria and in other countries in the region, this would allow for the training of a larger number of pilots and would contribute to regional cooperation in the field of defense.
According to the plans and contracts for the modernization of our Armed Forces by the end of 2025, The first deliveries of the “Stryker“ combat vehicles for the Land Forces are also expected. The President highlighted the key importance of the fact that a significant part of them will be assembled in Bulgaria. This should be established as an approach to the modernization of our Armed Forces, so that it is accompanied by increasing industrial cooperation and the inclusion of the Bulgarian defense industry and science in this process.
“Bulgaria is developing its defense capabilities in such a way that it is responsible for its defense and security, instead of relying only on allies“, Rumen Radev also emphasized. The Head of State also highlighted our country's ambitions for the introduction of new, already proven, technologies in the process of modernization of the Armed Forces, including unmanned aerial vehicles and their production in our country, which also opens up prospects for deepening the partnership with the United States.
During the meeting, the Bulgarian Head of State also emphasized that the military crises in the neighborhood pose a major threat to the security and stability of our region, and their secondary effect severely affects the economies and social systems of neighboring countries. The President highlighted the importance of developing Bulgaria's defense potential and the strategic partnership with the United States for strengthening stability in the Balkans and limiting the negative effects of these crises for the region. In this regard, the President also welcomed the efforts of US President Donald Trump and his administration to end the war in Ukraine, which is the main threat to peace and security in Europe, as soon as possible.