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

Yellow code for strong wind in 16 eastern and southwestern regions

On Wednesday , the lowest temperatures will be between 3 and 8°C. In the regions with strong wind it will be up to 10-12°C. In Sofia it will be around 4°C. In the western parts of the Danube Plain and the Upper Thracian Plain it will..

published on 11/25/25 7:50 PM

Drones to aid disaster and fire response in Burgas

Following a series of fires in the Burgas area last summer, including one that destroyed homes in a local villa district, the Burgas municipality has acquired high-tech drones equipped with thermal cameras, night vision, and 3D imaging . The two..

published on 11/25/25 7:01 PM

Bulgarian police break up migrant smuggling network

Illegal migrants from Syria, Iraq and Iran have been discovered in Sofia, and ten members of an organised criminal group have been arrested , Deputy City Prosecutor Desislava Petrova told reporters. Two of those arrested have been charged as the..

published on 11/25/25 6:48 PM