Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Ministry of Defence: The caretaker cabinet is not holding negotiations on the purchase of combat aircraft

F-16 Block 70 aircraft
Photo: lockheedmartin.com

The caretaker government does not have the powers and is not conducting negotiations on the purchase of eight more F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the Ministry of Defence announced in connection with media publications that the government is allegedly holding a secret procedure for the purchase of combat aircraft for the Bulgarian army.

To implement the project, the 43rd and the 44th National Assembly approved decisions for the purchase of 16 combat aircraft in two stages of 8 airplanes, the Ministry writes. At the beginning of 2019, at the proposal of the Council of Ministers and after a decision by parliament on the implementation of the first stage, four contracts were signed between the governments of Bulgaria and the US for the purchase of 8 F-16 Block 70 aircraft and the equipment, services and armaments connected with them.

The Ministry of Defence writes that the only activity it is engaged in is continuing the preparations for the implementation of the second stage of the project. 



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Brussels raises 2025 growth forecast for Bulgarian economy

Bulgaria’s GDP is expected to grow 3% this year, the European Commission said in its Autumn Economic Forecast, as reported by BTA. The projection marks an upgrade from the 2% growth rate estimated in the Commission’s spring outlook. The expected GDP..

published on 11/17/25 1:44 PM
Zhecho Stankov

Lukoil sanctions derogation can be expended if necessary, says Energy Minister Stankov

Bulgaria has no additional conditions from the United States for the exception of the sanctions imposed on Lukoil to enter into force, Minister of Energy Zhecho Stankov told BNT.  If necessary, the postponement of the sanctions against Lukoil can be..

published on 11/17/25 12:21 PM
Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov (L) takes the helm from Elmedin Konaković

In 2026, Bulgaria takes over the presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region for the second time

In 2026, Bulgaria will assume the presidency of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region for the second time. The symbolic handover of the presidency took place during the 14 th Annual Forum of the EU Strategy for the Danube Region (EUSDR) held in..

published on 11/17/25 10:02 AM