Bulgaria to replace its MiG-29 aircraft


Bulgaria has decided to replace its old MiGs by new fighter jets, in order to bring the country’s Air Force in line with NATO standards.


Bulgaria to replace its MiG 29 aircraft 925 001 F-16V "Viper" Block 70 (Picture source : Lockheed Martin)


There were three candidates to replace the MiG-29, respectively the Sweden’s Saab Gripen jets, the Italy’s second-hand Eurofighters and the Lockheed Martin’s F-16V Block 70. The Bulgarian parliament has now approved a government plan to enter into talks with the US on a potential deal for 8 F-16 (the newest F-16 production configuration). Lockheed Martin and the Bulgarian government will now proceed to negotiations about the contract for these 8 aircraft.

The Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon is the first US Air Force multi-role fighter aircraft. The F-16V (the “Viper”) features enhancements including an AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar, a new Center Pedestal Display, a modernized mission computer, Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, and improvements to the cockpit.