F-16 Block 70 deliveries

On 31 March 2025, three Lockheed Martin F-16 Block 70 Fighting Falcons, destined for the Vzdušné sily Ozbrojených sil Slovenskej Republiky (SAF, Slovak Air Force) and Bulgarski Voenno Vzdushni Sili (BVVS, Bulgarian Air Force), were delivered via Morón Air Base in Spain.

The three-ship formation was accompanied by two KC-135R Stratotankers, using the call signs Blue81 and Blue82.

The two Slovakian F-16C Block 70 Fighting Falcons, serials 1005 and 1007, will be stationed at Sliač Air Base, joining 81. Krídlo (81st Wing) Sliač. Slovakia received its first three F-16Cs in 2024. In total, the Slovak Air Force has ordered 14 F-16 Block 70 fighters, 12 F-16C and 2 F-16D variants.

The third aircraft, an F-16D Block 70 with serial number 301, is destined for the Bulgarian Air Force. This marks the first F-16 delivery to Bulgaria. The Fighting Falcon was officially handed over to the Bulgarian Air Force during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina, on 31 January 2025.

Bulgaria has ordered 16 F-16s, 10 F-16C Block 70 and 6 F-16D Block 70. The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence (MoD) initially signed a contract for eight F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft in July 2019, followed by a second order for an additional eight aircraft in April 2022.

Credit photos: Spotting_fercleos (@FercleosSpotter)