Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet

SOFIA (Reuters) - The United States, Sweden and Italy have filed bids to supply Bulgaria with eight fighter jets aimed at replacing its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s, in a tender estimated at 1.8 billion levs ($1 billion), the defense ministry said on Monday.

Israel is in the running to replace Bulgaria's aging MiG-29s after Sofia gave the green light to replace its Soviet-designed jets.

Bulgaria's parliament approved the plan to buy the jets in June in order to improve its compliance with NATO standards - which it joined in 2004 - in a 3.5 billion leva (NIS 7.4 billion) military modernization project.

Bulgaria has sent a request for proposals (RFP) for 16 new or used fighter jets to replace its ageing Soviet-designed MiG-29s to seven countries, the defence ministry told Reuters today (25 July).

The Black Sea country, which joined NATO in 2004, has called for bids to supply aircraft from the United States, Portugal, Israel, Italy, Germany, France and Sweden.

Bulgaria's Ministry of Defence will submit its proposals to procure new fighter jets and armored vehicles to the Council of Ministers this March, according to Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov.

The minister told public broadcaster BNT that Bulgaria will seek offers "for new and secondhand aircraft" to "find the best prices and the best options."

Australia will end air strikes against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria and bring its six Super Hornet planes home after three years as part of the U.S.-led coalition in the Middle East, Defense Minister Marise Payne said on Dec. 22.

The Bulgarian Air Force will look into buying Boeing F-18 Super Hornets following a review of competitors Saab, Lockheed Martin, and the consortium of European companies that make the Eurofighter Typhoon, reported Sputniknews.com

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered cost-cutting reviews of two major aircraft acquisition programs, the F-35 fighter jet and Boeing Co's next-generation of the Air Force One presidential plane, according to Pentagon memos released on Jan. 27.

U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis ordered cost-cutting reviews of two major aircraft acquisition programs, the F-35 fighter jet and Boeing Co’s (BA.N) next-generation of Air Force One presidential plane.
President Donald Trump has derided Lockheed Martin’s (LMT.N) F-35 program as being too expensive.