Showdown in the sky: Bulgaria unites MiG-29 and F-16 in military demonstration

As part of the international military exercise "Thracian Star 2025," which began on July 14 and will continue until July 25 in Bulgaria, the Bulgarian Air Force will showcase its military capabilities together with Greece, Romania, and the United States. According to an announcement by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, both Soviet and US fighter jets will be deployed in joint exercises in Bulgarian airspace.

The Bulgarian Air Force will field several well-known Soviet military aircraft, such as the MiG-29, L-39, and Su-25. In addition to these Soviet aircraft, the US F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multi-role fighter, will also be deployed.

The F-16 is one of the most frequently used aircraft in military operations worldwide, as the US news portal “As” reports.

• Versatile fighter jet : The F-16 Fighting Falcon, developed by General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin), is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft that has been in service in over 25 countries for air combat and ground attack since 1978.
• Technological Innovation : With a fly-by-wire system and advanced avionics, such as the AN/APG-68 radar, the F-16 offers high maneuverability and precision, with the latest variant, the F-16V, utilizing AI-assisted systems.
• Deployment in Ukraine : Since 2024, NATO countries such as the Netherlands and Denmark have been supplying F-16 jets to Ukraine to combat Russian air strikes and ground targets, with the first deployments in summer 2024.

The Thracian Star exercise has been a tradition since 2010 and offers participating nations the opportunity to exchange experiences outside of active military operations. The event promotes the interaction of different air forces and is intended to strengthen cooperation.

Captain Reid Chlasta of the US Air Force emphasizes: “Exercises like Thracian Star are critical to the role we play in Aviano as a trusted NATO ally.” In the Italian city of Aviano, there is a US Air Force base known for its cooperation with the Bulgarian Air Force.

Meanwhile, modernized F-16s have landed at Osan Air Base in South Korea. This measure is intended to strengthen the defense capabilities of the US and its allies against North Korea. The F-16s feature improved systems similar to those of the fifth generation, increasing the accuracy of the weapons systems. Captain Alexandra Sears of the 25th Fighter Generation Squadron emphasized: "F-16s are one of the few multi-role fighters. They can do everything."

North and South Korea are technically at war because no peace treaty exists. The United States has approximately 28,500 troops stationed in the region to counter threats from North Korea. These aircraft were deployed by the U.S. Air Force's 51st Fighter Wing, having previously been stationed at Misawa Air Base in Japan.