Bulgaria launches fighter contest for initially only 8 jets

[Stratofreighter]

http://paper.standartnews.com/en/articl ... icle=35387

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Bulgaria Buys Fighters

Offers sought from five leaders in arms manufacturing

Bulgaria will spend a billion levs for fighter planes. 

The Ministry of Defence launched the procedures for the most awaited for tender in the Army, the Standart learnt. 

The Ministry sent inquiries to the manufacturers of F -16 (Lockheed Martin), F-18 (Boeing), Gripen (SAAB). Eurofighter (EADS) and Rafale (Dassult). 

The inquiries have been made via diplomatic channels and namely the assistance of the ambassadors of the USA, Sweden, Germany and France to Bulgaria, sources from the Ministry reported.  

The Russian producers have not been contacted despite the readiness Mig-39 manufacturers expressed to take part in the tender. 

[Bulgaria seeks to buy eight fighters, two of them training ones.

The framework contract option provides an opportunity for the delivery of eight other aircraft at a later stage. 

The aircraft may be second-hand.

[ehusmann]

I smell:
- ex-RAF Eurofighters
- ex-SwedishAF Gripens
- ex-USAF F-16s

Although I wouldn´t dare to put one or another on top.

Erwin

[SquAdmin]

The Russian producers have not been contacted despite the readiness Mig-39 manufacturers expressed to take part in the tender.

I suppose they mean MiG-29...

But seriously, only 8 fighters now and max 16??

[frank kramer]

I smell:
- ex-RAF Eurofighters
- ex-SwedishAF Gripens
- ex-USAF F-16s

Might I add some AdlA Rafales and suggest they take 2 of each?

[ehusmann]

Of course you can add those, as well as ex-USN Hornets. But somehow I don´t see them as contenders if second hand aircraft take the order.

Erwin

[frank kramer]

OK, to be more precise: I meant the first batch of AdlA Rafales (the F1 or "tranche 1"). They are second hand and the AdlA then does not have to bother about upgrading them to F3 standard (same story as with the RAF Typhoons).

[Polecat]

I know a few Harriers for sale, mint condition, first owner, available as of tomorrow......