Bulgarian Defense Minister Explores Acquisition of American Weapons

Bulgarian Defense Minister Todor Tagarev is set to visit the United States to engage in discussions regarding the provision of military-technical equipment for the Bulgarian army, as reported by the Euractiv portal on Wednesday.

During his visit, Tagarev has scheduled meetings at various key institutions, including the Ministry of Defense, the State Department, the National Security Council, Congress, and the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. Additionally, he plans to tour Lockheed Martin facilities in South Carolina, gaining insights into the manufacturing process of the F-16 Block 70 aircraft recently procured by Bulgaria for its air force.

Bulgaria has notably increased its investment in weaponry over the last three years, despite a historical reliance on Soviet-made equipment. The country has allocated $10 billion for military investments until 2032, encompassing three major projects. The most substantial among them is a $2.4 billion contract with Lockheed Martin for the supply of 16 F-16 fighters, including associated weaponry.

In December, the Bulgarian parliament approved the purchase of nearly 200 Stryker armored vehicles for infantry from General Dynamics, amounting to $1.3 billion.

The latest major military endeavor involves equipping the Bulgarian army with state-of-the-art 3D radars, with the contract expected to be signed shortly. Proposals from five global companies, including Lockheed Martin, Leonardo (Italy), Elta (Israel), Indra (Spain), and Thales (France), have been considered for the project, with a minimum estimated cost of $230 million. Lockheed Martin is reportedly the favored choice for Sofia, according to Euractiv.