The new facility where Bulgaria’s future fleet of new F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft will be manufactured is nearing completion in Greenville, South Carolina in the United States.

The Greenville facility will soon begin producing new F-16 Block 70 fighters for Bahrain, Slovakia, and other international customers including Bulgaria.

“F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria, the newest and most advanced version of NATO’s benchmark single-engine fighter, will be manufactured at Lockheed Martin’s F-16 production line in Greenville, South Carolina,” said Jim Robinson, International business development director for Lockheed Martin’s F-16 programme.

“As Bulgaria moves forward with the F-16 Block 70 acquisition process, it can do so assured that the aircraft is a proven, state of the art fighter aircraft system that will deliver decades of NATO interoperability.”

The F-16 Block 70 features technologies developed for the 5th generation F-35 Lightning II and F-22 fighters yet provides a proven, capable, low-risk and cost- effective solution for Bulgaria’s national and NATO defense needs.

It will ensure Bulgarian national security and provide long term capability development for the Bulgarian Air Force. The company is working with the U.S. and Bulgarian governments to identify cost savings for the F-16 Block 70 as the acquisition process continues.

In addition, Lockheed Martin is redoubling its commitment to delivering economic and industrial benefits to Bulgaria. The acquisition of F-16 Block 70 will deliver real benefits to Bulgaria supporting sovereignty, sharing technology and helping to sustain local employment.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services