U.S State Department approves $1.7 billion sale to Bulgaria of eight F-16 fighter jets

U.S State Department approves $1.7 billion sale to Bulgaria of eight F-16 fighter jets

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Bulgaria of F-16C/D Block 70/72 aircraft with support for an estimated cost of $1.673 billion.

f16 e1559851156237The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 30, 2019.

According to the DSCA, the government of Bulgaria requested to buy eight F-16 C/D Block 70/72 aircraft, better known as the F-16 Viper, and a wide range of associated equipment, weapons, training and support.

Included are nine AN/APG-83 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, which uses technology derived from F-22 and F-35 radars, and four AN/AAQ-33 SNIPER Targeting Pods, M61 Vulcan 20mm Cannons, 16 AIM-120C7 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, one AIM-120C7 Spare Guidance Section, 24 AIM-9X Sidewinder, eight AIM-9X Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM), 48 LAU-129 Multi-Purpose Launchers, 15 GBU-49 Enhanced Paveway II Kits, fifteen GBU-54 Laser JDAM Kits, 28 GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDB-1), 24 FMU-152 Fuzes, 24 MK-82 Bombs (Tritonal), six MK82 Bombs (Inert).

Also included are nine AN/ALQ-211 Internal Advanced Integrated Defensive Electronic Warfare Suites (including 1 spare), nine AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispensers (including 1 spare), 4140 Infrared Flare countermeasures, with impulse cartridges, 8250 each of PGU-27A/B 20mm training and combat munitions, 36 MK-124 Signal/Smoke Illumination devices, nine APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe (AIFF) units with Secure Communications and Cryptographic Appliques, 18 AN/ARC-238 UHF/VHF SATURN Radios, sixteen AIM-120C AMRAAM training CATMs, Joint Mission Planning System (JMPS) with software, training and support, twenty Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) II with Night Vision Goggle compatibility, ten Night Vision Devices, Electronic Combat International Security Assistance Program (ECISAP) support and contractor technical, engineering and logistical support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support.

“The proposed sale will contribute to Bulgaria’s capability to provide for the defense of its airspace, regional security, and interoperability with the United States and NATO. These aircraft will provide Bulgaria with a fleet of modernized multi-role combat aircraft, ensuring that Bulgaria can effectively operate in hazardous areas and enhancing the Bulgarian Air Force’s interoperability with U.S. as well as NATO forces”, said DSCA.

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