Bulgarian government approves draft amendment to F-16 industrial co-operation programme

Bulgaria’s caretaker government authorised on April 22 two ministries to negotiate and sign an amendment with Lockheed Martin on the F-16 Block 70 industrial co-operation programme, the government information service said.

The decision authorises the economy and innovation ministries to conduct the negotiations and carry out the signing.

In 2019, the governments Bulgaria and the United States signed a contract for the acquisition of eight F-16 Block 70 aircraft, the statement said.

The Investment Cost Project includes a requirement for industrial co-operation.

The framework agreement provides for the implementation of six projects, five of which are already being successfully implemented in the country, the government information service said.

One of the projects is planned to be renegotiated so that it corresponds to the specific needs of Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry to the maximum extent and has greater added value for the country and Bulgaria’s armed forces, the statement said.

The new project is planned to build on the existing industrial capacity for maintenance of components of the F-16 Block 70 fighter system on the territory of the country and will allow Bulgaria to carry out its own, independent logistical maintenance and operation throughout the entire 30-year life cycle of components of the aircraft system.

“Within the framework of the new project, know-how and technologies will be transferred, which will contribute to increasing the competitiveness of our defence sector and to the absorption of products and services that have the potential to be in demand on the international market,” the statement said.

(Photo: Defence Ministry)