Bulgaria To Begin Negotiations With US On Purchase Of 8 F-16V Fighters

[Zarvan]

F-16 (image: Lockheed Martin)

The Parliament of Bulgaria has approved government’s plan to begin negotiations with the United States (US) regarding the purchase of eight new F-16V fighter jets in a deal worth 1.8 billion levs ($1.05 billion).

“The US Embassy welcomes the decision today by Bulgaria’s National Assembly to initiate negotiations to acquire new F-16 Block 70 aircraft from Lockheed Martin," reuters quoted the US Embassy in Sofia as saying Wednesday.

The new jets will replace Bulgaria’s aging MiG-29 fighters.

Nearly 130 lawmakers voted in favor of the plan of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov’s government while 84 deputies were against it, accusing the cabinet of breaching the tender rules.

Bulgaria had an option to choose from Saab’s Gripen fighters and used Italian Eurofighters apart from Lockheed Martin's F-16V fighter jets.

The defense ministry had previously said that the US does not need additional licenses and agreements to supply the war plans with the necessary weaponry and licenses, unlike the offers from Sweden and Italy.

“The US’ bid exceeds the budget by 300 million levs ($174 million). Negotiations might last for four months, with the first meeting expected in Brussels next month,” Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov was quoted as saying by the news agency.

“From now on there are many issues that we need to clarify - delivery dates, service... spare parts delivery,” the minister added.

http://www.defenseworld.net/news/24..._on_Purchase_of_8_F_16V_Fighters#.XD_qO1wzZPY

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

The Parliament of Bulgaria has approved government’s plan to begin negotiations with the United States (US) regarding the purchase of eight new F-16V fighter jets in a deal worth 1.8 billion levs ($1.05 billion).

That's pretty expensive. Western European countries would never buy F-16.

 

[gangsta_rap]

The defense ministry had previously said that the US does not need additional licenses and agreements to supply the war plans with the necessary weaponry and licenses, unlike the offers from Sweden and Italy.

wow...kinda opposite of how the US normally deals out in similar situation

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

The only countries that ever buy F-16 are Arabs and eastern Europeans.

 

[Damir877]

Interesting,following Bulgarian media just few months ago I got the impression that Gripens were considered a heavy favorite to win the bid.

 

[Beast]

Interesting,following Bulgarian media just few months ago I got the impression that Gripens were considered a heavy favorite to win the bid.

American gives aid to bulgaria and ask them to buy F-16 then leeched them through service and after sales spare parts purchasing. American are smart to play long term business....

 

[Skull and Bones]

Interesting,following Bulgarian media just few months ago I got the impression that Gripens were considered a heavy favorite to win the bid.

Diplomatic clout is also a factor in choosing your weapons platform, and Sweden offers none.

 

[nahtanbob]

That's pretty expensive. Western European countries would never buy F-16.

What are Norway, Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium exactly ? All of them operate F-16s

 

[Yongpeng Sun-Tastaufen]

What are Norway, Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium exactly ? All of them operate F-16s

No they do not buy F-16 they buy F-35. Only Arabs and eastern Europeans buy F-16.

 

[nahtanbob]

The only countries that ever buy F-16 are Arabs and eastern Europeans.

None of these countries are Arab or East European
Indonesia
Pakistan
Singapore
South Korea
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Thailand
Chile
Venezuela

No they do not buy F-16 they buy F-35. Only Arabs and eastern Europeans buy F-16.

Norway, Netherlands, Denmark and Belgium operate F-16s

 

[Super Falcon]

well suited to their need but its ageeing technology gripen would have been better choice but how do you please your ultimate master this is what bulgaria doing.

 

[nahtanbob]

well suited to their need but its ageeing technology gripen would have been better choice but how do you please your ultimate master this is what bulgaria doing.

8 gripens or 8 f-16s - makes little difference in the overall military balance
it is a political statement

 

[Super Falcon]

still should have gone for 36 gripens far better with global eye the complete air package F 16 was a legend but i dont like it may be used as a second support not front line jet

 

[A.P. Richelieu]

No they do not buy F-16 they buy F-35. Only Arabs and eastern Europeans buy F-16.

I wonder why all these Arab F-16s have Western/Southern European Flags.

 

[nahtanbob]

I wonder why all these Arab F-16s have Western/Southern European Flags.
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he would not know his geography