Last year the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense asked the government to initiate direct talks with the United States in the acquisition of F-16 fighter jets to replace its Soviet-made MiG-29 aircraft.

Nevertheless, these talks could end because the price has exceeded the budget approved by the Parliament of Bulgaria and also Italy and Sweden have joined the offers of the acquisitions of these 8 aircraft.

Italy has offered the Eurofighter Typhoon and Sweden offered the Saab JAS 39 Gripen.

These offers had been already initially but did not include expensive weapons that had to be purchased separately.

Bulgaria, a member of NATO since 2004, has earmarked 900 million euros (1,000 million dollars) for the purchase of at least eight fighter jets.

The initial offer was from Lockheed Martin, however, exceeded this sum.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria discussed this with the US Deputy Secretary of State. UU., John Sullivan, who visited Sofia last year as well and pressed for Lockheed Martin's offer, as well as the US Secretary of State. UU., Mike Pompeo.

Bulgarian defense minister Krasimir Karakachanov said openly in an interview that he did not expect the US government to give them anything for free, but to offer them at normal prices, taking into account the prices they had offered to other countries.

Although perhaps the price of Lockheed Martin has exceeded the budget, the Bulgarian Parliament should assess this high cost against the lack of weapons that aircraft from Italy and Sweden offer to have the best possible acquisition according to their needs.

Nevertheless, these talks could end because the price has exceeded the budget approved by the Parliament of Bulgaria and also Italy and Sweden have joined the offers of the acquisitions of these 8 aircraft.

Italy has offered the Eurofighter Typhoon and Sweden offered the Saab JAS 39 Gripen.

These offers were already initially but did not include expensive weapons that had to be purchased separately.

Bulgaria, a member of NATO since 2004, has earmarked 900 million euros (1,000 million dollars) for the purchase of at least eight fighter jets.

The initial offer was from Lockheed Martin, however, exceeded this sum.

The Prime Minister of Bulgaria discussed this with the US Deputy Secretary of State. UU., John Sullivan, who visited Sofia last year as well and pressed for Lockheed Martin's offer, as well as the US Secretary of State. UU., Mike Pompeo.

Bulgarian defense minister Krasimir Karakachanov said openly in an interview that he did not expect the US government to give them anything for free, but to offer them at normal prices, taking into account the prices they had offered to other countries.

Although perhaps the price of Lockheed Martin has exceeded the budget, the Bulgarian Parliament should assess this high cost against the lack of weapons that aircraft from Italy and Sweden offer to have the best possible acquisition according to their needs.