Lockheed Martin’s delivery of the second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 fighters to Bulgaria could be delayed from the end of 2027 to the second quarter of 2030 due to production difficulties.
Lockheed Martin’s delivery of the second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 fighters to Bulgaria could be delayed from the end of 2027 to the second quarter of 2030 due to production difficulties.
However, company representatives informed Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov at an August 14 meeting that the revised timeline is not final and that Lockheed will take all steps to minimize the schedule delays.
“We expect assurances that the delay will not affect the final price of the contract,” Stoyanov said.
Sofia has been exploring options to acquire secondhand fighter aircraft to prevent a capability gap in its air force, including used F-16s and JAS-39 Gripens. The country has also sent inquiries regarding available MiG-29 aircraft and spare parts to Poland and Hungary.
The defense ministry has not yet decided on acquiring a specific type of aviation equipment, and it is still waiting for responses to its inquiries, according to Sofia Globe.
Apart from acquiring used fighter aircraft, the ministry also highlighted several other priorities, including having sufficient spare parts and components, training for Bulgarian pilots, and technical support for fleet maintenance and sustainment.
Bulgarian F-16s
Bulgaria ordered its first eight F-16 fourth-generation fighters in 2019, and received its first F-16 in April 2025.
While Lockheed completed the construction and delivery of the seven remaining aircraft in December 2025, the initial batch is still in the integration phase and is slated to enter combat service in 2027.
The Balkan nation placed an order for another batch of eight F-16s in 2022, which had the initial delivery timeline set at the end of 2027, to help replace its aging Soviet-built MiG-29 aircraft.
