F-16 Block 72 offered to Bulgaria?

[basher54321]

UPDATE 1-Bulgaria ready to choose F-16 fighter jets for its airforce

SOFIA, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Bulgaria’s defence ministry commission recommended on Friday that the government starts talks with the United States to buy new F-16 war planes to improve its compliance with NATO standards, the defence minister said on Friday.

The United States, Sweden and Italy have filed bids to supply Bulgaria with eight fighter jets aimed at replacing its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s, in a tender estimated at 1.8 billion levs ($1.05 billion).

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/bulgari ... 0004428676

[basher54321]

Bulgaria announces F-16V Block 70 procurement to replace ageing MiG-29s
Dec 23, 2018

The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a plan to procure eight F-16V Block 70 fighter jets aimed at replacing its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s.

On Friday, Bulgaria’s defense ministry commission recommended that the government starts talks with the United States to buy new F-16V Block 70 fighter aircraft to improve its compliance with NATO standards.

“The acquisition of a new multipurpose fighter such as F-16V Block 70 from the United States, equipped with the latest generation radar and weaponry will improve significantly the combat capabilities of the Bulgarian air forces,” Bulgaria’s Defense Minister Krasimir Karakachanov told reporters on Friday.

Read more: https://defence-blog.com/news/bulgaria- ... cXu1qbuBtI

[Corsair1963]

Just show the opportunity that India missed. When the US and Lockheed Martin offered them the whole F-16 production line years ago. (MMRCA) As today India could be building new F-16's for all of these recent orders. (in addition to theirs)

[basher54321]

SOFIA, Bulgaria (BulgarianMilitary.com) – Тoday, after holding a heated debate, Bulgaria’s Parliament, in the end, approved the government’s proposal to start negotiations with the U.S. on the purchase of new F-16V Block 70 fighters as well as the future contract to deviate from the Bulgarian requirements. The cabinet’s proposal was voted today as the first item on the agenda, and it was adopted with the key support of MRF MPs, after the parliamentary groups of BSP and PP Volya, Ataka and NFSB voted against, learned BulgarianMilitary.com.
This allows the negotiations between the Bulgarian Government and the U.S. on the purchase of the aircraft to be more flexible. The Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov explained that if they are unsuccessful, talks with Sweden on Gripen fighters, will be held.

Source: https://bulgarianmilitary.com/2019/01/1 ... -approval/

[basher54321]

The U.S. State Department has approved a possible sale to Bulgaria of F-16C/D Block 70/72 fighter aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of up to $1.673 billion, the Pentagon said on Monday.

The Pentagon announced that the Government of Bulgaria has requested to buy eight F-16 C/D Block 70/72 aircraft with spare parts, weapons and engineering and logistical support services.

[...]

Source: https://defence-blog.com/news/u-s-state ... garia.html

[Lieven]

We collectively view F-16.net as the finest military aviation forum because of our ability to discuss things in a civilized manner. There is never an excuse for personal attacks.

[...]

Keep it professional and classy, that's all I'm asking. Even I have been wrong from time to time and I respond much better to being provided with better info than insults and name calling.

you-are-awesome.jpg (6.14 KiB) Viewed 12682 times

Thank you Spurts!

We very much agree. Violators will be reported and will often be banned with little or no warning.

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

[Patriot]

It's Block 70, at least DSCA claims so

https://www.dsca.mil/major-arms-sales/b ... ft-support

[blufoperations]

This is a good buy for Bulgaria, would like to see them purchase more in the future.

[Fox1]

Those MiG-29 jocks will think they've died and gone to heaven once they convert to the F-16 and get their hands on some Block 70 aircraft. I think they made a wise choice selecting the F-16. As a smaller nation with a smaller military budget, nothing gives you more bang for the buck than an F-16.

[mixelflick]

There are so many game changing advantages 5th gen aircraft bring to the table, overwhelming advantages - even vs. so called, 4++ gen aircraft. Let's look at an example...

The Indians very effectively upgraded the old Mig-21 with HOBS missiles, along with a very effective jammer. They reportedly gave USAF F-15's fits during Cope India, some years back. Thus, an upgraded 3rd generation aircraft was able to make a go of it with a 4th gen bird. In fact, the most successful air to air platform in history.

The issue with the F-35 is that it has SO many ways to find you. There will be no "sneaking up" on it - from any quadrant. Another game changing advantage: Stealth. I spoke with an F-16 pilot recently who could not detect two F-35's at his 1 o'clock and 12 MILES AWAY - even AFTER ground control told him where to look! OK, it wasn't a block 70/72 he was flying - but so what? Let's say the block 70/72 can spot an F-35 at 3 times that distance - same outcome: The F-16 would have been eating AMRAAM's long before.

WVR? The F-16 is a great rate machine, albeit not so much if loaded down with weapons. The F-35 rates like a CLEAN F-16, WITH weapons, but can also point its nose like a SH. Assuming any competent pilot, he should be able to 1.) Beat the F-16 at its own game or, 2.) Beat it at the other end of the spectrum (high AOA).

So while I'll concede the F-16 block 70/72 is a big step up, there's simply no comparison to the F-35 (or certainly F-22). It's also grown heavier given all the new bells and whistles, robbing it of one of its forte's - a very high thrust to weight ratio. The list goes on and on, but you get my point. This has all been validated in large exercises. Simply ask yourself this: Would I want to send my son into combat in an F-16 block 70/72, or and F-35.

The chances your kid comes back alive go way up with the F-35...

[piston]

The chances your kid comes back alive go way up with the F-35...

Bulgaria is not a first class NATO member (too much russian spies), have not the economy to buy fancy stuff, and it is dangerous to jump from soviet 80's era fighter in a 5-th generation platform.... SAAB offered 10 JAS-39 without ammo but I guess US pushed bulgarians to buy 8 F-16 with some A-A ammo....

[elshad]

Is F-16V the official name for all Block 70/72s? That press release still calls them C/D. It doesn't seem to follow the previous naming conventions of having different letters for single and two-seaters. Two-seat Block 70/72s should be called F-16W!

[sprstdlyscottsmn]

The change is enough that it should be F/G. V is just a reference to Viper.

[hythelday]

The change is enough that it should be F/G. V is just a reference to Viper.

Apparently some thought F-21 is even more fitting!