November 4 (SeeNews) - Bulgarian lawmakers gave a resounding approval to a cabinet decision to purchase a second batch of eight F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft from the US for a total of $1.296 billion (1.31 billion euro).
The defence expenditure passed in a 162 - 49 vote with 11 abstentions in the 240-seat National Assembly, according to a parliamentary session video streamed on the website of public radio BNR.
The proposal was backed by all MPs from both the GERB-UDF coalition and the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, whereas the Bulgarian Socialist Party and nationalist Revival voted against. As many as 10 MPs from We Continue the Change, the party led by former prime minister Kiril Petkov, abstained, while one voted against.
Bulgaria received the US offer for the second batch of eight F-16s under the previous coalition government led by Kiril Petkov. The validity of the offer had been extended until December 15 from November 1.
NATO member Bulgaria has an ageing fleet of Russian-made MiG-29 fighter aircraft, which are due to be grounded in 2023. Last week, the defence ministry announced that Spain will station in Bulgaria up to 200 military personnel and up to eight Eurofighter F-2000 Typhoon jets between November 14 and December 2, to assist the Bulgarian Air Force with its air policing mission under the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS).
The caretaker government approved the defence procurement proposal last week.
The country expects delivery of the first eight F-16 fighter jets in early 2025, with the second batch likely to arrive in 2029, BNR quoted caretaker defence minister Dimitar Stoyanov as saying.
($ = 1.01324 euro)