Amount under contracts for acquiring F-16 aircraft has been transferred to US

Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence has transferred to the US the entire amount of $ 1.2 billion under international government procurement contracts for the delivery of eight F-16 Block 70 aircrafts and related equipment and armaments, the Ministry of Defense said on August 12.

The transfer was ordered on Thursday, August 8, by the Ministry of Defence to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on behalf of the Republic of Bulgaria.

With this step, the Bulgarian side fulfilled its commitment under the contracts concluded under the project for the acquisition of a new type of fighter aircraft for the Bulgarian Air Force.

With the confirmation by the Agency of the US $ 1.2 billion received on the account of the Republic of Bulgaria for the American side, the contracts are in force and their practical implementation begins.

On July 26, 2019, Bulgaria’s Parliament ratified the BU-D-SAB Contracts (LOAs) "F-16 Block 70 aircraft and associated support" (F-16 Block 70 aircraft and associated support), an international contract (LOA) ) BU-D-AAA "Munitions in support of the F-16", International contract (LOA) BU-P-AAD "Sidewinder AIM 9X Block II Missiles, Associated Materials and Services" (Sidewinder AIM 9X Block II Missiles, Associated Material and Services) and BU-P-LAR International contract (LOA) "Multifunctional Information Distribution System - Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (5) and Related Support and Equipment" (Multifunctional Information Distribution System Joint Tactical Radio System (MIDS JTRS) (5) and related support and equipment).

They were signed by the Minister of Defence Krassimir Karakachanov on July 11 (based on a decision of the Council of Ministers of July 10, 2019).