January 27 (BTA) - Bulgaria will receive simulators for F-16 jet fighters to train its pilots for national and NATO defence missions, said manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp.

On July 19, 2019, the Bulgarian National Assembly ratified 2.1 billion leva worth of contracts on the purchase of eight F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft from the United States for the Bulgarian Air Force and the provision of related equipment and technical support. The first six jets are to be delivered in 2023, and the last two in the first quarter of 2024. According to the project, the country is to purchase eight more such aircraft.

Bulgaria is among the first nations to acquire F-16 Block 70 jet fighters and is also getting training simulators with the aircraft's newest and most advanced configuration, Lockheed Martin said.

The F-16 simulation-based environment replicates all systems and sensors. The training system has networking capabilities that enable pilots to train together various scenarios, the company said.

The latest generation Lockheed Martin F-16 simulators allow pilots to train in an entirely realistic environment which ensures mission readiness, said Chauncey McIntosh, Lockheed Martin Vice President of Training and Logistics.