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

Version of sabotage of the first Bulgarian F-16 is not ruled out

Photo: BTA

None of the possible versions why the first Bulgarian F-16 fighter cannot fly has been ruled out. A version of possible sabotage also exists. This was what Gen. Spas Spasov, a former military pilot and chairman of the “Bulgarian Air Force” Foundation has told the BNR. We do not know whether this is a manufacturing defect, or the fault lies with those who operate the jet at the Third Air Base, Gen. Spasov pointed out.

The commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, Gen. Nikolay Rusev, announced that the Bulgarian F-16 cannot fly at the moment due to a deviation in one of the aircraft's systems. The problem became known after a sharp exchange of remarks between GERB leader Boyko Borissov and President Rumen Radev.

The co-chair of the Atlantic Council in Bulgaria, Ivan Anchev, said that probably after the plane flew 9,000 km there were attempts to copy the F-16 software in Bulgaria and it blocked itself.



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

Christmas town opens in Plovdiv’s central square

Plovdiv will offer concerts, bazaars and an ice park for the Christmas and New Year holidays to its citizens and guests, the municipality has announced. Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov will light the Christmas tree in front of the Plovdiv Municipality..

published on 11/27/25 8:05 AM

Bulgaria faces widespread rain and cooler temperatures

On Thursday, minimum temperatures will range from 3° to 19°C, with eastern areas reaching 15–19°C and Sofia around 6°C. The day will be cloudy with widespread rain. Heavy rainfall is expected in western regions overnight and in central and southern..

published on 11/26/25 7:05 PM

Georg Georgiev: Support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia must continue

“Solutions for achieving peace in Ukraine must be based on fundamental principles of the UN Charter, such as sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.” This was stated by Bulgarian Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev at the informal video..

published on 11/26/25 6:41 PM