The delivery of the F-16 fighter jets is just the beginning of the political commitment to logistics, maintenance and the development of real defense capabilities for the Bulgarian Air Force, said President Rumen Radev at a meeting with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for European and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Policy, David A. Baker. David Baker is in Bulgaria in connection with the delivery of the first F-16 Block 70 fighter jet.

President Radev raised the issue of optimizing the training program for Bulgarian military pilots in cooperation with the United States. According to Bulgaria’s Head of State, if part of the training process takes place in Bulgaria and in other countries in the region, it would allow for faster preparation of a larger number of pilots.

"Bulgaria is developing its defense capabilities in such a way that it takes responsibility for its own defense and security, rather than relying solely on allies", President Radev emphasized.