Sofia, February 12 (BTA) - The US Embassy in Sofia said on Saturday that "the F-16 program is experiencing delays due to supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic".

The press release said: "These unfortunate delays will affect all countries currently participating in the program. The United States remains committed to supporting Bulgaria with its military modernization, and we continue to train together during bilateral and multinational exercises annually, and to invest in other modernization projects outlined in our Ten Year Defense Cooperation Roadmap such as the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense's Cyber Defense Center, Maritime surveillance, and communications equipment across the Armed Forceс.

On February 8, Bulgarian Defence Minister Stefan Yanev said a letter from Lockheed Martin Corp. had explained the delivery of the first fighter jets would be delayed by a few months.

In 2019, Bulgaria ordered F-16 Block 70 jets that are expected to go into service starting in late 2023. This country is planning to buy eight more of those aircraft. DD