Lockheed Martin has completed production of all F-16 Block 70 aircraft for Bulgaria and Slovakia’s initial fleets, equipping both air forces with advanced F-16s ready for NATO and allied operations.

The aircraft are produced at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Greenville, South Carolina and have completed DD250 final acceptance through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales programme.

Full F-16 Block 70 fleets give Bulgaria and Slovakia the capability to provide national air defence and support NATO air policing with a modern fully interoperable fighter. The aircraft connect directly to NATO systems and support the same mission sets already flown by F-16 operators across Europe.

These aircraft are integral to both nations’ defence modernisation plans and align their air forces with the training standards and operational practices used by 29 allied operators. That common framework improves readiness strengthens the alliance’s posture and increases the number of interoperable aircraft available for NATO missions.

Mike Shoemaker, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin, says: “This milestone represents the talent and dedication of the joint government military and industry teams. With full F-16 Block 70 fleets now produced both nations move from planning for next-generation airpower to demonstrating it in daily operations. This progress enhances NATO’s collective readiness and provides commanders with reliable interoperable 21st Century Security capability across the alliance.”

The F-16 Block 70 features the APG-83 AESA radar which shares 95% software commonality and 70% hardware commonality with the F-35 radar. The aircraft also includes conformal fuel tanks a modern digital cockpit a 12,000-hour service life and the Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System.

These systems support air policing air defence and joint exercise missions flown by F-16 operators across Europe. With more than 700 F-16s in Europe and a global sustainment network already in place Bulgaria and Slovakia gain access to established training pipelines proven logistics support and a broad community of operators.

The F-16 programme is supported by more than 530 suppliers across 12 countries including European partners. Companies such as LOTN in Slovakia and Avionams in Bulgaria contribute to the industrial base that supports NATO readiness.

Final assembly and component manufacturing take place at Lockheed Martin’s Greenville facility which remains the world’s only active F-16 production line. The programme supports more than 1,500 skilled jobs and sustains fighter production capability in the United States while reinforcing transatlantic industrial cooperation.