Bulgaria gets billion-dollar green light to buy Stryker armoured vehicles
The US Army is the largest operator of Stryker vehicles and the platform has been approved for sale to Bulgaria. (Photo: US Army)
The sale of 183 General Dynamics Land Systems Stryker armoured fighting vehicles to Bulgaria in a range of variants has been approved by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) as a Foreign Military Sale in a deal worth $1.5 billion.
According to a statement from the DSCA ‘the proposed sale will improve Bulgaria’s rapid infantry deployment and force projection capability'.
The proposed sale consists of 90 XM1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICV) – Dragoon; 17 M1126 ICVs; nine M1132 engineer squad vehicles; 33 M1130 command vehicles; 24 M1133 medical evacuation vehicles; 10 M1135 NBCR vehicles; five heavy expanded mobility tactical truck (HEMTT) light equipment transporters; five modular catastrophic recovery systems; two M1120A4 HEMTT load handling systems; and five M984A4 Wrecker HEMTTs.
Aside from vehicles the contract includes a range of ancillary equipment including 107 M240 coaxial 7.62mm machine guns, M153A4 Common Remote Operated Weapons Stations, M2A1 .50cal machine guns, M6 smoke grenade launchers and associated spares, Harris radios, RS6 (LW30) remote weapon systems and TACFLIR 280-HDEP optical sensors.
Related Articles
US Army 2SBCT fields Strykers upgraded with CROWS-J and CROWS
US DoD announces additional weapons and support for Ukraine
The principal contractor will be General Dynamics Land Systems and this proposed sale will require 20 Stryker contractor representatives to travel to Bulgaria for two years to conduct contractor logistics support, training, and component assembly support.
According to Shephard Defence Insight Bulgaria would be the third customer behind the US and Thailand but several other countries have received FMS approval such as Argentina, Peru and North Macedonia; however is not clear if they have been contracted or vehicles delivered. In January 2023 the US said it would donate Stryker vehicles to Ukraine and there have been sightings of these in the field.
Shephard's DSEI 2023 coverage is sponsored by:
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from DSEI 2023 | View all news
-
![Why the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is a leader in the field]()
Why the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle is a leader in the field
The Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) is becoming the dominant platform in its class as it replaces most of the massive US Army and USMC fleets of HMMWV 4x4s, the legendary Humvee. Shephard dives deep into the JLTV programme background and analyses the latest variants contracts, including the controversial production switch to AM General and the continued contacts still heading Oshkosh's way.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: How the MQ-9 Reaper UAS came to rule the skies]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: How the MQ-9 Reaper UAS came to rule the skies
Ahead of the 2023 edition of the Dubai Airshow, Shephard looks at the GA-ASI MQ-9A Reaper UAS, its role in shaping modern conflict dynamics, and its deployment for surveillance and precision strike throughout the Middle East.
-
![Orbiting the Future: How New Satellite Technologies are Revolutionising Global Communications]()
Orbiting the Future: How New Satellite Technologies are Revolutionising Global Communications
With the satellite industry at a pivotal juncture, Intelsat is investing in advanced technologies like 5G and optical communications, striving to enhance worldwide connectivity and address emerging governmental needs.
-
![CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield]()
CH-47 Chinook: why the timeless helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender on the modern battlefield
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the workhorse of many armies and air forces in the 2020s.
-
DSEI 2023: Controp unveils Smart Vision AI software for EO/IR payloads
Controp Precision Technologies unveiled its Smart Vision AI software for enhancing the level of autonomy and automation for a variety of surveillance and reconnaissance missions at DSEI 2023.
-
![Babcock and Cosworth to test hybrid propulsion in militarised Land Cruiser 70]()
Babcock and Cosworth to test hybrid propulsion in militarised Land Cruiser 70
Babcock has signed an MoU with propulsion experts Cosworth to investigate the use of hybrid power systems in military vehicles and will begin with integrating a Catalytic Generator (Cat Gen) into a 70 Series Toyota Land Cruiser.
