Lockheed Martin completes F-16 Block 70 build for Slovakia, initial build for Bulgaria

A Bulgarian F-16C Block 70 Fighting Falcon departs the Greenville production facility on a pre-delivery test sortie. Lockheed Martin has completed manufacture of the initial eight of Bulgaria's 16 F-16s, and all 14 of Slovakia's F-16s. (Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has completed manufacture of F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcon combat aircraft for Slovakia, and also initial jets ordered for Bulgaria.

The manufacturer announced the milestones on 15 December, saying that the completion of the jets at its Greenville production facility in South Carolina marked a significant step in the modernisation of the air forces of both eastern European countries.

“The aircraft […] completed DD250 final acceptance through the US government's Foreign Military Sales [FMS] programme,” Lockheed Martin said.

Slovakia ordered 14 F-16 Block 70s in 2018, comprising 12 single-seat F-16C and two twin-seat F-16D aircraft. Bulgaria ordered an initial eight F-16 Block 70s in 2019, comprising six F-16C and two F-16D aircraft. It is these airframes that have now all been built. Further, Bulgaria ordered another eight F-16 Block 70s in 2020, comprising four F-16C and four F-16D aircraft. The manufacture of these airframes continues.

As part of its deal for the aircraft, both countries received industrial offsets that saw LOTN in Slovakia and Avionams in Bulgaria contribute to the global F-16 ecosystem.

For more information on the F-16 Block 70/72, please see Protected species: Strengthening the electronic shield for the F-16 .