For the Bulgarian Air Force, January 31, 2025, is a significant date, as it marks the presentation of the F-16V Block 70/72 for Bulgaria at the Lockheed Martin factory in Greenville. This event comes 5.5 years after the order for the first batch of 8 fighter jets was placed in 2019.
The Bulgarian Ministry of Defense noted that the fighter jet was officially presented. Photos released show that the aircraft is not yet in its final form, as it lacks, at the very least, some fuselage elements. However, the first "Bulgarian" F-16V took to the skies on November 22, 2024.
The starting point can be considered July 10, 2019, when the first 8 aircraft were ordered for $1.25 billion. However, Sofia made another similar order in September for $1.3 billion for a second batch of 8 F-16Vs.
The reasons for Bulgaria's prolonged wait for the ordered aircraft stem from a convergence of unfortunate circumstances that created a true "perfect storm." Firstly, in 2017, Lockheed Martin began relocating F-16 production from Fort Worth, Texas, to Greenville, South Carolina, intending to increase F-35 production capacity. A new production line was established in Greenville, officially commencing operations in 2019.
Even if everything had gone flawlessly, delays were still inevitable. Then COVID-19 struck, effectively disrupting the entire project in Greenville due to a lack of specialists willing to relocate, difficulties in training new workers, and, concurrently, a shortage of spare parts as supply chain logistics broke down, and contractors struggled to meet existing orders.
As a result, the first F-16 Block 70 for Bahrain took a full 3.5 years to produce at the new facility after being ordered in 2017. This occurred in April 2024. However, it is evident that Lockheed Martin has since streamlined its processes. As of mid-2024, the order backlog reportedly consisted of 127 aircraft, with a targeted production rate of 48 fighter jets per year. Consequently, Slovakia, which received its first F-16 in 2024, is expected to receive all 14 by 2025. Thus, Bulgaria will likely receive its first batch of 8 F-16s by the end of this year.