WASHINGTON, Dec 16: US defense contractor Lockheed Martin has completed the production of all F-16 Block 70 fighter jets for the initial fleets of both Bulgaria and Slovakia, the company has announced.
“Lockheed Martin … has completed production of all F?16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia’s initial fleets, equipping both air forces with advanced F-16s ready for NATO and allied operations,” the company said in a statement on Monday.
According to previous statements from Lockheed Martin, Slovakia is set to receive a total of 14 F-16 Block 70 jets, having first signed its Letter of Offer and Acceptance in December 2018. Bulgaria is set to receive 16 F-16 Block 70s, based on two separate Letters of Acceptance, one for eight aircraft signed in 2019 and a second for an additional eight jets signed in 2022. The first flight of the Slovakian F-16 Block 70 occurred on September 29, 2023, while the first flight of the Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 took place on Oct 22, 2024.
The aircraft were produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, and achieved DD250 final acceptance through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales program.
According to the statement, the addition of the full F-16 Block 70 fleets provides Bulgaria and Slovakia with the capability to provide national air defense and support NATO air policing with a modern, fully interoperable fighter. These jets are designed to connect directly to NATO systems and support the same mission sets already flown by F-16 operators across Europe. (UNI)
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