October 27 (SeeNews) - Bulgaria's caretaker government said it decided to approve two potential defence equipment purchases relating to the proposed acquisition of a second batch of F-16 fighter aircraft and related radio system from the US.
The cabinet has authorised the defence minister to sign the contracts once the required final approval has been granted by Bulgaria's recently elected parliament, the government said in a statement on Wednesday.
In April, the US State Department approved the potential sale to Bulgaria of four F-16 C Block 70 and four F-16 D Block 70 fighter aircraft for $1.296 billion (1.28 billion euro). Bulgaria will also receive related equipment, including engines, radars, navigation and positioning systems, tactical radio systems and missiles.
Bulgaria's defence ministry said earlier this month that the US granted an extension of the offer to December 15 from November 1.
Against the background of the ongoing Russian war on Ukraine, Bulgaria, which has an ageing fleet of Russian-made MiG-29s fighter jets, has resorted to assistance from fellow NATO members to ensure sufficient capabilities to fulfil its air policing obligations in the alliance.
Earlier this week, Bulgaria's defence ministry announced that Spain will station in Bulgaria up to 200 military personnel and up to eight Eurofighter F-2000 Typhoon jets between November 14 and December 2, to assist the Bulgarian Air Force with its air policing mission under the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS).
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