Bulgarian Minister of Defence Todor Tagarev, Bulgarian Ambassador Georgi Panayotov, and Bulgarian Defence Chief Adm. Emil Eftimov visited Lockheed Martin’s F-16 production facility in Greenville last week to view progress in the production of Bulgaria’s future F-16 Block 70 fleet.
Currently, seven Bulgarian F-16s are in various stages of production, and the inaugural flight of the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 is planned for later this year.
“Bulgaria is acquiring a proven, state-of-the-art fighter aircraft system that will deliver decades of 21st Century Security capabilities and NATO interoperability. We are proud that the most advanced F-16 ever produced will aid in Bulgaria’s national security.”
OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin
Bulgaria will be the second European country to receive the F-16 Block 70. With a current backlog of 135 jets, the F-16 production line in Greenville serves as a cornerstone of security for allies around the world.
