Bulgaria marked a historic milestone in its military modernization on Sunday with the arrival of its first U.S.-manufactured F-16 fighter jet at the Graf Ignatievo military base.

The delivery, part of a $2.7 billion deal for 16 jets, signals a major overhaul of the NATO member’s aging air force as it phases out Soviet-era MiG-29s.

A formal ceremony attended by senior Bulgarian officials and U.S. representatives celebrated the occasion. Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov described the F-16’s arrival as a “turning point” for Bulgaria’s defense forces, emphasizing “the inexorable and irreversible modernization of the Bulgarian army.” The acquisition, the country’s largest defense investment since 1989, aims to address long-standing issues with outdated equipment, limited training, and personnel shortages.

U.S. defense official David Baker hailed the delivery as a “significant milestone,” noting that Bulgaria’s investment would bolster its security and strengthen NATO’s capabilities for decades. “Your investments today will enable you to further contribute to making NATO the greatest military alliance in history,” Baker said.

The remaining F-16s are scheduled for delivery in phases, with seven expected by the end of 2025 and the final eight by 2027. The modern jets will replace Bulgaria’s MiG-29 fleet, which has faced safety concerns, including a fatal 2021 crash that killed a pilot and a September 2024 incident that claimed two soldiers during a training flight.

Bulgaria’s push to modernize comes amid heightened regional tensions following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, prompting eastern NATO members to bolster their defenses. The country now spends over two percent of its GDP on defense, meeting NATO’s minimum requirement but falling short of higher targets proposed by some alliance leaders.

The F-16 acquisition is expected to enhance Bulgaria’s air force capabilities and solidify its role within NATO, two decades after joining the alliance. Defense officials expressed optimism that the new jets would address chronic challenges and ensure a more robust contribution to regional security. (ILKHA)