The Bulgarian government has committed to investing in new F-16 Fighting Falcons after a short backtrack last month on the $1.6 billion deal.

The State Department approved June 3 a possible foreign military sale of the Lockheed Martin

[LMT]-built F-16 C/D Block 70/72 fighter jet to the Eastern European nation, with support for an estimated cost of $1.673 billion.

The U.S. Air Force’s F-16D fighter jet. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

The justification statement noted that the new multi-role combat aircraft would provide Bulgaria with greater airspace defense and improved interoperability with its U.S. and NATO partners. The nation has been a member of NATO since 2004 and a member of the European Union since 2007.

“Bulgaria currently relies on the United States and the United Kingdom to participate in joint air policing,” the June 3 statement said. “By acquiring these F-16s and the associated sustainment and training package, Bulgaria will be able to provide for the defense of its own airspace and borders.  Bulgaria will have no difficulty absorbing this aircraft and services into its armed forces.”

However, Reuters reported July 23 that Bulgarian President Rumen Radev had vetoed the deal, citing concerns about public consensus on the purchase.

“Because of the shortened legislative procedure, a number of important issues such as prices, warranties, delivery times, penalties, indemnities, and so on, have remained unclear,” he said per the outlet.

European outlets reported July 30 that Bulgarian lawmakers managed to override the veto, and that contracts related to the deal and amendments had been posted in the country’s State Gazette, approving the sale. In a Wednesday statement, the U.S. government applauded the Bulgarian government for moving ahead with the procurement.

“We salute [Bulgarian] Prime Minister Boyko Borisov and the Bulgarian government on its commitment to modernize its military through the acquisition of these highly capable, NATO interoperable aircraft,” said State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus.

Meanwhile, the Air Force on Wednesday awarded Lockheed more than $1 billion in foreign military sales for F-16 aircraft and contractor logistics support in Slovakia and Iraq.

The service awarded a $799,955,939 firm-fixed-price incentive contract for 14 F-16 Block 70 aircraft. Work will be performed at Greenville, South Carolina, and is expected to be completed by Jan. 31, 2024. The contract award involves 100% foreign military sales to the Slovak Republic and is the result of a Slovak Republic conducted competition, according to a July 31 notice.

The contractor was also awarded a $315,604,174 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract, for “F-16 Contractor Logistics Support Phase IV,” which would provide the contractor logistics support and establish a training detachment at Balad Air Base, Iraq.

Work will be performed at Balad Air Base, Iraq; and Greenville, South Carolina, and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2022. This contract involves 100% foreign military sales and is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $29,819,883 are being obligated at the time of award.