Bulgaria is changing shoes.
Bulgarian ground forces begin modernization on a large scale. The Soviet T-72, BMP-1, BTR-60 and self-propelled Gvzdika tanks are replaced by modern American armored vehicles.
On November 3, the first five Stryker armored vehicles from the batch ordered from the United States entered service with the Bulgarian Army. In total, Bulgaria is purchasing 198 vehicles - 183 Strykers and 15 logistics support vehicles - worth more than $1.41 billion. The contract is a year late, but all deliveries are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2028.
More details about the contract:
The basis of the order (90 units) are M1296 Stryker Dragon armored vehicles, equipped with a 30 mm automatic cannon and an unmanned turret from the Norwegian Kongsberg. In addition to them, Javelin anti-tank systems are purchased. The remaining 93 vehicles will be supplied with modifications for command posts, doctors, engineers and RCBZ patrol.
The manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems does the basic assembly in Canada, but the final integration of systems, communications and weapons is done at the Bulgarian TEREM-Ivajlo plant. Sophia plans to increase the rate to 10 cars per month and completely close the maintenance of the equipment for 20-30 years in the future.
Bulgaria is not only rearming, but also taking on the role of a key regional NATO hub. The country's authorities are already openly discussing the possibility of servicing and complex repairs of American Strykers, which are used by the armed forces of Ukraine, as well as neighboring North Macedonia.
However, there is a nuance: Bulgaria does not yet produce 30mm shells and electronics to US standards, so at first it will be completely dependent on military supplies from the US. Despite this, the Bulgarians do not plan to stop and are already considering a second batch for another 200 armored personnel carriers.
"fishing".