Bulgaria spent $2.5 billion on 16 F-16 Block 70 fighters but continues to fly Soviet MiG-29s. Sofia even appealed to Poland and Hungary for used fighters and spare parts, just so someone could fly. This is because, although the American F-16s have arrived, there is no one to fly them, Army Recognition writes.

Bulgaria received the first eight F-16 Block 70s for $1.2 billion back in late 2025. However, they will only be fully operational in 2028. The problem is that only two pilots have been cleared to fly the Block 70, and the training base has not been built.

In addition, the second batch of eight aircraft, purchased in November 2022 for $1.3 billion, is delayed. Lockheed Martin is delivering three aircraft per month instead of the planned four, analysts report.

While Bulgaria waits, its airspace is patrolled by MiG-29s. They need spare parts that are unavailable. In 2022, at most seven or eight aircraft from the entire fleet were operational. In early 2026, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence tried to find a contractor for the overhaul of 10 RD-33 engines, but the tender was canceled because no bids were received.

Polish Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated that Poland could sell its MiG-29s to Bulgaria. Sofia seized this opportunity and sent official requests.

Poland has actively used its MiG-29s over the past four years, experts note. Of the ten promised aircraft, at most half will actually fly. The rest will be used for spare parts.

In parallel, Bulgaria is asking for used JAS 39 Gripen and F-16s. Back in 2017, Sofia chose the Gripens, but the deal fell apart during the approval stage. Now the Swedish option is back on the table, but as a temporary measure: to lease a dozen aircraft to last until 2028.

The problem is that any temporary aircraft is a separate system for training, spare parts, armament, and maintenance. If Bulgaria takes the Gripen in addition to the MiG-29 and F-16, it will have three different types of fighters with one of the smallest air forces in NATO.

For constant duty, Bulgaria will need four to six combat-ready fighters. With the current fleet of eight aircraft, two are always undergoing scheduled maintenance, and another one or two may break down. Thus, a reserve of four to five aircraft remains. Without the second batch of eight F-16s, reliable airspace patrolling is practically impossible, analysts note.