Defence & Space

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Polish 35 mm SA-35 Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft Gun with PIT-Radwar

During the recent MSPO trade fair in Kielce, the company PIT-Radwar presented its proposal for a 35 mm self-propelled anti-aircraft gun…

2025-06-13 | Przemysław Gurgurewicz | 13 minutes

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

SKW Cryptographic Security Certificate for Polish Comp@n Radio Set from the WB Group

The WB Group announced that the Comp@n system radio set, developed by its subsidiary Radmor, along with the Cryptographic Document Management…

2025-06-14 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Advancing multi-domain EW operations: Rohde & Schwarz unveils latest innovations at AOC Europe

Rohde & Schwarz demonstrates the next generation of SIGINT/EW systems, sensor fusion and signal analysis solutions, designed to meet the evolving…

2025-05-12 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

Spectra Group unveils Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) to Asia at Indo Defence

Spectra Group is unveiling its new Troposcatter on the Move (TOTM) capability at Indo Defence, which delivers robust, secure, high-bandwidth…

2025-06-12 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: GROTowisko-25 Conference Begins Next Week

On the weekend of June 14–15, 2025, the next edition of GROTowisko will take place. Once again, the military complex…

2025-06-04 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Taking Responsibility for Veterans – Rheinmetall participates in the first National Veterans’ Day

German-based Rheinmetall AG participates in the first National Veterans’ Day of the Bundeswehr. Numerous Rheinmetall sites set an example.

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

The Rohde & Schwarz R&S M3AR radio family reaches 10,000 unit milestone

Rohde & Schwarz has achieved a major milestone with the sale of over 10,000 R&S M3AR radios worldwide, underscoring its dedication to delivering cutting-edge communication…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

Poland: Buffer zone on the border with Belarus extended for another 90 days

The Minister of the Interior and Administration has signed a regulation introducing a temporary ban on presence in a designated area within the…

2025-06-11 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Galvion awarded FBI contract for their Hellbender FE helmet

Galvion announces the successful award of a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) contract for their Galvion Hellbender Federal Edition (FE) helmet…

2025-06-09 | Redakcja | 3 minutes

The AH-64D Apache is already in Poland. A powerful reinforcement for the Army Aviation

In Inowrocław, Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz took part in the reception of the…

2025-06-17 | Rafał Muczyński | 7 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

SIPRI: Nuclear risks grow as new arms race looms

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute published a report entitled SIPRI Yearbook 2025, which, among other things, discusses the issue of…

2025-06-16 | Redakcja | 10 minutes

Visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to the Singaporean company ST Engineering

One of the stops during the visit of Polish President Andrzej Duda to Singapore was the local company ST Engineering, which…

2025-06-14 | Rafał Muczyński | 5 minutes

ICEYE signs agreement to deliver SAR satellite capabilities to the Portuguese Air Force

The Polish-Finnish company ICEYE and the Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa, FAP) announced the signing of an order for…

2025-06-13 | Redakcja | 4 minutes

Hanwha Systems and BAE Systems Sign MOU to Build Next-Generation Reconnaissance Satellite System

Hanwha Systems, a leading South Korean defense and aerospace technology company, announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)…

2025-06-10 | Redakcja | 2 minutes
Shooting

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Mactronic M-Fire Guardian – A New Flashlight for Professionals

Mactronic is introducing a new angle flashlight, the M-Fire Guardian. According to the manufacturer, it is the first angle flashlight with red…

2025-06-04 | Michał Ihnatów | 6 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

Direct Action Spitfire Plate Carrier – Part 1: Testing the Carrier

Nowadays, the market offers a wide range of options in the gear and load-bearing equipment category. One of the most basic…

2025-05-08 | Michał Gaweł | 14 minutes

Enforce Tac 2025 starts on February 24th

Enforce Tac is an international trade fair aimed at law enforcement officers, experts from government agencies, and representatives of the…

2025-01-30 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

POLSECURE: Holsters HPE Poland offer for uniformed services

At the 3rd International Police and Public Security Fair POLSECURE 2024 in Kielce, Holsters HPE Poland presented its offer for…

2024-05-01 | Redakcja | 2 minutes

MSBS GROT BULLPUP conversion now available

Fabryka Broni “Łucznik” Radom is introducing long-awaited conversion kits for the MSBS GROT S16 FB-M1 and S10 FB-M1 semi-automatic rifles,…

2025-06-02 | Michał Ihnatów | 3 minutes

IDET 2025: Grand Power Showcases M4M1 Carbines for the Slovak Armed Forces

At the International Defence and Security Technologies Fair IDET 2023 in the Czech Republic, Grand Power — a Slovak firearms manufacturer — showcased…

2025-05-28 | Michał Ihnatów | 4 minutes

Setting Up a Shooting Belt: An Example with Clawgear

To assist with shooting training and beyond, various belts and gear configurations have been developed and customized to suit individual needs. It’s…

2024-11-28 | Łukasz Kołodziejski | 14 minutes

Weapon light: a practical tool for everyday service. How to choose?

In the world of armed forces, where every second can determine the outcome of an operation, precision and effectiveness are…

2024-08-29 | Redakcja | 7 minutes

Over 100% increase in gun permits in Poland in 2024

The Polish Police have released statistical data on firearm permits issued in 2024. An increasing number of Poles now hold…

2025-02-20 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

Firearms In Poland 2023: Number of permits continues to grow

The National Police Headquarters has released statistics regarding the number of firearm permits and firearms themselves in the hands of…

2024-02-17 | Michał Ihnatów | 5 minutes

5 Best Value ATN Rifle Scopes Under €1500

ATN is a leading manufacturer of daytime optics, smart night vision, and thermal vision technology. The innovative features and ergonomic designs…

2022-11-11 | Redakcja | 8 minutes

MILMAG Visits Grand Power

Grand Power is a Slovak manufacturer of the acknowledged good quality firearms. Take part in our guided tour with English subtitles.

2022-05-23 | Redakcja | 1 minutes

Streamlight TLR-7 HL-X – a Bayonet of Light for Your Weapon

The devil’s not so scary once you shine a light on him—and he’s certainly easier to neutralize in the spotlight. A weapon-mounted flashlight…

2025-06-09 | Anna Mielczarek | 6 minutes

Protective Rescuer Vest – BC Arms Archangel

The Archangel Rescuer Vest is the result of a collaboration between Polish companies Currahee and BC Arms. It was created in…

2025-05-16 | Mariusz Rams | 6 minutes

EOTECH Holographic Sight – History, Technology, Practice

The holographic sight is a device known for nearly 30 years and used by professionals around the world. A favorite sight of many…

2024-09-02 | Michał Gaweł | 12 minutes

The first Bulgarian F-16 Is Nearing The End Of Production

A delegation of Bulgarian authorities visited the facility of the American company Lockheed Martin in Greenville, South Carolina, where the assembly of the first of 16 F-16C/D Block 70 multi-role aircraft for the air force will soon be completed.

January 16th, 2024. Bulgarian Minister of Defense Todor Tagarev, Ambassador of Bulgaria to the USA Georgi Panayotov, and Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov visited the Lockheed Martin F-16 production facility in Greenville last week to assess the progress on the F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft, which are intended for their country.

Photos: Lockheed Martin

Currently, seven multi-role aircraft ordered by Bulgaria are in various stages of production. The maiden flight of the first Bulgarian F-16 is scheduled for later this year.

OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager of the Integrated Fighter Group at Lockheed Martin, commented on the visit:

As part of the ongoing contract, Bulgaria is acquiring modern and proven fighters that will serve it for decades as part of 21st Century Security, ensuring the highest combat capability and interoperability within the NATO alliance. We are proud that the most advanced F-16 aircraft ever built will be delivered to Bulgaria, thus enhancing the defense capabilities of the country.

Bulgaria will be the second European country to receive the F-16C/D Block 70. So far, the production line in Greenville has already assembled 135 aircraft of this version, making this facility one of the key contributors to the security of allied nations worldwide.

Press release

Analysis

This is not the first visit of a Bulgarian delegation to the USA to inspect the progress on the F-16 aircraft for it’s air force (Voennovëzdušni sili, VVS). On November 11, 2023, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense presented the first yet unfinished aircraft.

According to the current schedule, the first two aircraft, including one F-16C and one F-16D, are expected to be completed by the end of July 2024. Deliveries to the recipient will commence no later than the end of March 2025.

Bulgaria ordered 16 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft, with the first eight ordered in July 2019 in the latest production version, for the equivalent of $1.256 billion, and the remaining eight in September 2021. However, these were expected to be delayed, and according to information from February 17, 2022, the first deliveries were supposed to start no earlier than 2024 (and actually, it is supposed to involve symbolic handover in the USA, where Bulgarian personnel are trained, rather than relocation to Bulgaria). The main reason for the delays, primarily among Lockheed Martin subcontractors, was the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, they were planned to be fulfilled between 2023 and 2027.

The Bulgarian Air Force possesses 11 MiG-29A/UB fighter aircraft, stationed at the 3rd Fighter Air Base at Graf Ignatievo airfield. However, this fleet is gradually decreasing in size (in 2021, it had 14 aircraft), and it suffers from low operational readiness (during that time, only 5-7 were expected to be operational). Additionally, one of the aircraft was lost in crash on June 9, 2021. Consequently, the government in Sofia declined to transfer these aircraft to Ukraine for combat operations without support in terms of equipment from their allies.

Originally, in the years 1989-1990, the Soviet Union supplied Bulgaria with 22 MiG-29 aircraft, including 18 single-seat MiG-29A (9.12A) and 4 two-seat MiG-29UB (9.51). On September 29, 1994, MiG-29A with tactical number 25 crashed (the base commander of Ravnec, Major Ivan Dayev, was killed), and on April 26, 2012, MiG-29UB with tactical number 19 and serial number 26333 was involved in an accident (the entire crew was killed). Interestingly, the latter aircraft was later used by the Bulgarian TEREM “Georgi Benkovski” company to develop a refurbishment project and was subsequently sold to Poland in 2015 without engines. In 2020, the then Minister of Defense, Krasimir Karakachanov, spoke in the parliament about the need to sell the old aircraft.

By the end of 2023, Lockheed Martin had produced the first two Slovak F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft (out of 14 ordered) and two for Bahrain (out of 16 ordered). On January 10 of this year, Bratislava formally received these aircraft.

Lockheed Martin has received orders for 136 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft so far, and this number will soon increase to 148. These orders come from various countries, including Bulgaria, Slovakia, Bahrain, Jordan (12 units), Morocco (25 units), and Taiwan (66 units). Additionally, the aircraft are being offered to India (as the F-21 variant), Ukraine, the Philippines, Colombia, and Vietnam. It appears that there may soon be a breakthrough regarding the 40 F-16C/D Block 70 aircraft for Turkey, after Ankara gave the green light to Sweden within NATO.

In the production of the latest F-16s, Lockheed Martin’s subsidiary Polish-based PZL Mielec has been involved. On August 29, 2023, it announced the completion of the production of the first rear fuselage structure for this aircraft.

X