Bulgaria Hopes for Discount on US Fighter Jets

After the US State Department announced on Monday evening that it has approved a possible sale to Bulgaria of a squadron of new and fully armed F-16 Block 70/72 aircraft for an estimated cost of $1.673 billion, the Bulgarian defence minister said he expected to get the planes for a cheaper price.

"I think we can get close to $1-1.1 billion USD, which is within reasonable limits and favourable for Bulgaria," Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov told reporters on Tuesday.

"Of course, the US side will try to get as high price as they can, but it is far from clear we will comply. At least I can tell you I will try to go down to $1-1.11 billion, which I think is realistic," he added.

Karakachanov's comments come after the Defence Security Cooperation Agency of the US State Department announced it has delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale on May 30.

"By acquiring these F-16s and the associated sustainment and training package, Bulgaria will be able to provide for the defence of its own airspace and borders," the agency said in a statement, noting that Sofia currently relies on the United States and Britain to participate in joint air policing to protect its airspace.

In January, the Bulgarian parliament gave the government the permission to start negotiating with the US and the company producing the F-16s, Lockheed Martin Corporation, setting an indicative upper limit for the sale of $1 billion, VAT included.

Bolstered by votes from the Movement of Rights and Freedoms party, the GERB-United Patriots coalition managed to pass a last-minute amendment that allowed the payment ceiling to be exceeded.

The F-16 jet was selected over the Swedish SAAB Gripen by a joint expert-political committee...

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