Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

President Rumen Radev co-pilots F-16, praises the aircraft's capabilities

Photo: BGNES

President Rumen Radev was co-pilot in an F-16 fighter piloted by an Italian pilot. The demonstration flight from the Graf Ignatyevo airbase lasted 40 minutes. 

"The F-16 flight took me back to 2005, when General Clark, then a captain, and I flew such a fighter. At that time, I was the commander of the Graf Ignatyevo Air Base, and the NATO defence planning process was initiated after our accession," Radev said. 

He recalled that thanks to cooperation with the US, "we have mastered many modern tactics, techniques and procedures, we have mastered the full capabilities of the MiG-29 and our pilots are no longer inferior to their American counterparts".  

Radev expressed confidence that the acquisition of the F-16 Block 70 would remove a number of technical limitations for Bulgarian aviation. "In order to fully exploit the capabilities of this wonderful aircraft, we need to continue working with the pilots at Aviano Air Base," Radev added.



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev

The Mayor of Sofia calls GERB's actions regarding the transport strike populist

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev accused GERB leader Boyko Borissov and Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov of populism and reckless actions. Earlier today, the government announced it would allocate an additional 15 million leva (7.7 million euros) in subsidies..

published on 5/19/25 5:48 PM

Pope Leo XIV received silver coins featuring Bulgarian monasteries from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church

A delegation led by Metropolitan Anthony and Professor Ivan Ivanov — a priest and theologian — represented the Bulgarian Patriarchate at the enthronement and inauguration of Pope Leo XIV on 18 and 19 May. They delivered an official..

published on 5/19/25 5:04 PM

Government allocates €7.7 million to Sofia public transport in response to workers' protest

The government has agreed to provide an additional €7.7 million in subsidies for Sofia's public transport. This was agreed at a meeting today between Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and union leaders, according to BNR reporter Tsvetelina Stoyanova...

published on 5/19/25 2:47 PM