A technical malfunction in a newly delivered F-16 fighter jet has ignited political tensions and fuelled speculation of sabotage in Bulgaria. Several Members of Parliament have called for an official investigation into potential foreign interference.
The first F-16 Block 70 aircraft was ceremoniously delivered to Bulgaria on March 31st. This delivery marked a significant step in the long-awaited modernisation of the Bulgarian Air Force. These F-16s are intended to replace the aging Soviet-era MiG-29s and align the nation more closely with NATO standards. However, barely a month after its arrival, the advanced fighter has been grounded due to a reported hardware issue.
Bulgarian sources have suggested that a critical spare part was deliberately omitted from the procurement contract to reduce costs. The situation escalated politically following critical remarks made by President Rumen Radev in the media and parliament regarding the matter.
Adding to the controversy, the aircraft was conspicuously absent from a military parade held Tuesday May 6, the Day of the Armed Forces. The absence lead to speculation of sabotage or even espionage. Boyko Borissov, former Prime Minister and leader of the ruling GERB party, accused ‘hostile powers’ of obtaining sensitive government information. He therefore demands a parliamentary inquiry and the dismissal of Air Force Commander Nikolay Rusev.
Political Fallout
Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov dismissed the sabotage allegations surrounding the F-16 as baseless political attacks. ‘This is not sabotage. The problem was identified by an American pilot upon delivery and will be resolved by Lockheed Martin and American technicians,’ he stated, flanked by General Rusev and Admiral Elim Eftimov. The minister characterised the issue as a routine problem being blown out of proportion by national and international media.
Critics, however, question how the F-16 could complete a 9,000-kilometer flight from the US without incident, only to be deemed unairworthy immediately after arrival. Zapryanov countered this criticism as unfounded, stating, ‘This damages the Bulgarian public’s trust in our NATO cooperation.’ Notably, the minister also shifted some responsibility to former Prime Minister Borissov, alleging that he finalised the deal without sufficient consideration for spare parts.