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

PM Rosen Zhelyazkov: The first F-16 is a symbol of ideological change

Photo: BTA

At an official ceremony to welcome the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 fighter jet at the 3rd Air Base in Graf Ignatievo, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov pointed out that the new plane symbolizes the ideological change that began in 2019.

“This wonderful combat aircraft is a symbol of the strategic partnership we have with the United States,” said the Prime Minister, adding that it was an extraordinary honor for him to attend the event at which the aircraft became part of the Air Force, the Bulgarian airspace and our national sovereignty.

Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov said that without rearming the army, the country would not be adequately prepared for modern threats. “We will try to make the most of the EU plan for rearming Europe,” he added.

According to the Minister, the modernization of the armed forces will require expenditures of up to 3% of GDP.



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

Strike in Belgium blocks flights between Sofia and Brussels

Due to force majeure and a planned national holiday on Tuesday, flights FB 407/408 on the Sofia – Brussels – Sofia route have to be cancelled at Brussels Airport. Bulgaria Air announced this on its Facebook page, citing an official statement issued by..

published on 10/14/25 11:22 AM

Bulgaria's LB Bulgaricum and Japan's Meiji to open joint laboratory to study traditional Bulgarian yoghurt

A joint research laboratory of LB Bulgaricum and the Japanese company Meiji will be opened in the first half of 2026 . It will develop new products and study the benefits of traditional Bulgarian yogurt. This was announced after the Minister of Economy..

published on 10/14/25 11:19 AM

North Macedonia urged to abide by EU commitments

Candidates for EU membership must abide by the criteria and conditions they have agreed to themselves . This was stated by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev after a meeting in Sofia with his German counterpart Johann Wadephul, BGNES..

published on 10/14/25 11:14 AM