Bulgaria requests surplus F-16s from Portugal

[Zarvan]

Bulgaria has requested to buy nine F-16s from Portugal. Romania has also requested to buy 12 additional F-16s on top of the 12 it has already bought from Portugal. Source: Victor Barreira
Bulgaria has requested information from Portugal about the possible modernisation of nine surplus Lockheed Martin F-16 Fighting Falcon fighters, a spokesperson for the Portuguese Ministry of National Defence (MND) has told IHS Jane's .

Bulgaria has long had a requirement to acquire combat aircraft to replace its ageing MiG-29 'Fulcrum' fighter aircraft. However, financial limitations have so far delayed any aircraft acquisition. IHS Jane's understands Bulgaria is analysing different options worldwide, with surplus F-16s being one of them.

Neighbouring Romania has already purchased 12 F-16AM/BMs from Portugal, with a spokesperson for the MND stating the country has made a request for Portugal to sell and modernise a further 12 F-16s for its air force.

Any deal for either country would not include F-16s operated by the Portuguese Air Force (FAP). Instead they would be aircraft made available by the United States though its Excess Defense Articles (EDA) programme, or aircraft of allied nations that are replacing the type with the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II. Any potential deal will see the aircraft modernised by Portugal.

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http://www.janes.com/article/60955/bulgaria-requests-surplus-f-16s-from-portugal

 

[Penguin]

Bulgaria is the poorest member of the EU.
They ordered also 2 corvettes to be in service 2020-2022 in the package, worth 1.5 Billion Euros, with possible old Block 30 F-16s.
There is heavy protest in their parliament.

What alternative(s) were put forward?
What corvettes (type, origin)?

 

[flamer84]

What alternative(s) were put forward?
What corvettes (type, origin)?

Nothing transpired as of yet ,just the funds allocated for 2 corvettes:420 million euros and 770 million euros for fighter jets.

 

[ApparentRaceTraitor]

Sad times for Portugal with their economy still in the doldrums, with such a high tax rate, they should be able to maintain their defences instead their defensive capabilities are being denuded, soon they may have to rely on the EU for their defence

 

[Penguin]

Nothing transpired as of yet ,just the funds allocated for 2 corvettes:420 million euros and 770 million euros for fighter jets.

No tender out? No offerings?