Bulgarian Captain Todor Todorov becomes the second pilot to complete F-16 training in the US

Captain Todor Todorov of the Bulgarian Air Force has completed his F-16 training course, making him the second Bulgarian pilot to do so. The Bulgarian Defence Ministry announced that Captain Todorov graduated from the basic course at a US National Guard Base in Tucson, Arizona, following in the footsteps of Captain Alexander Velinov, who graduated in 2022.

Under the initial contract for the acquisition of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets, a total of 14 Bulgarian pilots will receive F-16 training in the United States. Additionally, 18 more pilots will receive training under the second contract, with pairs of pilots being sent at different times.

The training schedule has been arranged so that by 2024, ten of the pilots will have completed their training, while the remaining four will finish their training when the fighter jets arrive. The acquisition of F-16 fighter jets is part of Bulgaria’s efforts to modernize its military capabilities.