Lockheed Martin: Production of initial F-16 Block 70 fleets for Bulgaria and Slovakia completed
Lockheed Martin has completed production of all F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia’s initial fleets, equipping both air forces with advanced F-16s ready for Nato and allied operations, the manufacturer said.
The aircraft were produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, and completed DD250 final acceptance through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales program.
Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin’s Integrated Fighter Group, said: “This milestone represents the talent and dedication of the joint government, military and industry teams.
“With full F 16 Block 70 fleets now produced, both nations move from planning for next generation airpower to demonstrating it in daily operations. This progress enhances Nato’s collective readiness and provides commanders with reliable, interoperable 21st Century Security capability across the alliance.”
The F 16 Block 70 features the APG 83 AESA radar, which shares 95 per cent software commonality and 70 per cent hardware commonality with the F 35 radar, Lockheed Martin said.
The aircraft also includes conformal fuel tanks, a modern digital cockpit, a 12 000 hour service life and the life saving Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System (Auto GCAS).
These systems support the full range of air policing, air defence and joint exercise missions flown by F-16 operators across Europe, the statement said.
“With more than 700 F-16s in Europe and a global sustainment network already in place, Bulgaria and Slovakia gain access to established training pipelines, proven logistics support and a broad community of operators that help ensure high availability and efficient long-term maintenance,” it said.
The first of the F-16s that Bulgaria is acquiring arrived in the country on April 2 2025, the second on June 8 and two new F-16 fighter jets arrived in Bulgaria on October 3.
By the end of 2025, in fulfillment of the 2019 contract, Bulgaria is meant to have received a total of eight such aircraft.
The Bulgarian Air Force will have one F-16 Block 70 squadron by the end of 2027, when eight more aircraft are expected to be delivered under the second contract.
(Photo: Lockheed Martin)
