Text size

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

published on 9/13/24 11:56 AM

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!

Radio Bulgaria News co pilot f16 rumen radev

More from category

Bulgaria to equip its military units with drone control simulators

By mid-December, all military units in the country will be equipped with drone control simulators, said Major General Deyan Deshkov, Commander of the Land Forces, at the Lyulyak training ground near Stara Zagora. He clarified that the drones have..

published on 11/7/25 11:21 AM

The state proposes the appointment of a special commercial administrator for Lukoil Bulgaria

Swiss commodity trader Gunvor said it has withdrawn its proposal to buy Lukoil’s foreign assets, including the refinery in Burgas, after the U.S. Treasury called it Russia’s ‘puppet’, Reuters reported. Prime Minister: Bulgaria has a..

published on 11/7/25 11:04 AM

Sofia and Kyiv discuss energy and defense cooperation

Bulgaria’s Premier Rosen Zhelyazkov and Ukrainie’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed energy security in the region and opportunities to strengthen cooperation in this area. The two held a phone conversation on November 6. They also discussed..

published on 11/7/25 9:33 AM