Bulgaria again considers the purchase of used F-16s

F16.net ^ | 7/1/2010 | Lieven Dewitte

[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Anyu Angelov had a meeting with US Air Force Secretary Michael Donley in Washington, DC during which they discussed the possibility that Bulgaria would buy second-hand F-16s from the United States.About 4 years ago, the Bulgarian government had also inquired about the options to purchase F-16 fighting falcons.

Last month, Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Angelov unofficially announced the start of a Defense Ministry project to procure new multi-purpose fighter jets.

The commanders of the Bulgarian Air Force are supposed to draft a vision by the end of 2010 in which they outline their ideas for the role of their air force as well as the potential for its development based on the governments available resources.

In 2011, the Ministry plans to research the market, and study offers from the respective military producers. The public procurement tender and the contract can be a fact in 2012 at the earliest which means that the first deliveries of new fighter jets in can be expected in 2015.

According to Angelov, the long time period for the realization of the plan to procure new fighter jets for the Bulgarian Air Force should not cause concern since Bulgaria currently has 16 MiG 29 jets which are sufficient to guard its airspace.

The MiG 29 planes, which were recently modernized can remain in service until 2030. Their MiG 21 jets however will be retired in 2012.

[Chode]

Fishbeds to Falcons is one hell of a jump...