By the end of September, Bulgaria will receive eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov has told Nova TV. The first two fighter jets are expected at the end of March, the next 3 will arrive in the middle of the year and 3 at the end of September.

Minister Zapryanov said that the infrastructure is ready to welcome the first two aircraft. "We have an American team that is involved in monitoring the preparation of the infrastructure and their conclusion is that the key sites that need to be certified for the planes to arrive are ready," the minister added.

Zapryanov also commented on the case from a few days ago when a drone interfered with the work of Sofia Airport. "We do not have a legislative norm for shooting down drones if they are detected. Legislative changes are needed so that such a procedure is allowed," Zapryanov said.