Presenting Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 fighter jet offer
The procedure for selection of new fighter jets for the Bulgarian army has been going on for about 10 years. In 2017 а caretaker government appointed by the President Rumen Radev announced as winner in the tender Swedish company Gripen. Several months later, the appointed regular government denounced the tender result. The decision was taken after a parliamentary committee concluded that there was potential discrimination in the process of inviting offers. Tender with new terms was announced that attracted offers from Gripen, Lockheed Martin and Eurofighter. In its last stage, late in 2018, it became clear that the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence was to select between Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 and Gripen as these two companies were offering new fighters. President Radev, left-wing government opponents and some stakeholders voiced doubts that the procedure is non-transparent and possibly compromised. Radev, a former chief of the Bulgarian Air Forces, was as expert on the topic and his statements weighed significantly on public perceptions. Apart from that rumours spread, negative publications and even fake news about F-16 Block 70 appeared in media.