Greece Is Negotiating On Selling 6-8 F-16s To Bulgaria

[Avia2l]

google translation

In consultations with Bulgaria and the USA is the government for the sale of a number of Greek used aircrafts F-16 in Sofia. The Air Force seeks to fill the void created by leasing an equal number of aircraft of the same type from the USA. For the intended agreement is already a precedent, the market portogalikon F-16 from Romania in October 2013, both Romania and Bulgaria are members of NATO since 2004, but their military hardware is of Soviet origin and antiquated.

Last February, NATO asked Sofia to upgrade its armed forces, urging the purchase of military westernized, and Sofia had only Mig-21 over 30 years. The first approach was to Greece at the meeting of Ministers of Defence D.. Avramopoulos and Angel Naydenov March. Then, the defense minister and the prime minister elaborated strategy for pursuing what the Greece of this agreement.

Americans suggested to us by leasing hire as many aircraft they would sell to the Bulgarians (information refer to 6 to 8 F-16). The government insisted on the maintenance and upgrades of aircraft take to the DAC to upgrade the role of a repair hub for aeroskafi type F-16 in the Balkans. Both the Americans and Bulgarians are positive agreement. Reportedly, the only objection comes from the Air Force, which wanted the aircraft will be rented at least Block 52. However the request conflicts with the refusal of Americans to rent. If the deal closes, expected to bring several hundred million benefit for the Greek economy and the DAC. The Defense Ministry said it actually could be covered, so a substantial part of the cost for the planned upgrade of the Greek F-16.

http://www.aviationlive.org/2014/10/f-16-2.html