U.S. to grant two old F-16 jets to Bulgarian Air Force for training

"At the request of Bulgaria’s government, these two airframes will be transferred through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program for use as training aids and general familiarization tools for Bulgarian Air Force personnel," the embassy said in a statement earlier this week.

The grant is subject to the approval of the U.S. States Congress.

The donation of the fighter jets follows Bulgaria’s recent purchase of eight Block 70 F-16s from the U.S. - an essential step toward modernising Bulgaria’s military which brings unparalleled resources to bear on the joint security mission of the U.S. and Bulgaria in the Black Sea region, the embassy noted.

Last year, Bulgaria agreed and paid in full for the $1.2 billion (1 billion euro) purchase of eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets from the U.S. The deal envisages the delivery of six single-seat F-16 jets and two two-seat aircraft to be used for training, as well as supply of weapons for the jets.

Last month, Bulgaria's prime minister Boyko Borissov said that the government is considering the acquisition of a further eight F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, as well as three-coordinate radar systems and other defence equipment.

($ = 0.845957 euro)