This year Bulgaria will receive the first 33 "Stryker" vehicles for the Land Forces. It is planned to acquire 198 combat, reconnaissance and command and staff vehicles, special vehicles for nuclear, chemical and biological reconnaissance, for medical evacuation, for engineering support, transport and evacuation vehicles. Of these, 183 are combat vehicles from the "Stryker" family. The remaining 15 are auxiliary trucks. The start of deliveries is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, and their end - for the first quarter of 2028. The main quantity of combat and auxiliary vehicles will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, at a rate of deliveries of ten vehicles per month.
This was announced by the Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov at today's ceremony on the occasion of the patronal holiday of the Military Academy “G. S. Rakovski“ and the 113th anniversary of its establishment.
The modernization of the Bulgarian Army is progressing at an accelerated pace. Yesterday you witnessed the acceptance of the first Bulgarian F-16 Block 70 aircraft, this year we will accept the first 33 “Stryker“ vehicles for the Land Forces, the second ship of the Navy is on the water. The real replenishment of our armed forces with new combat equipment begins, especially in the combat capabilities part, said Atanas Zapryanov.
On December 1, 2023, the parliament ratified the contract for the acquisition of “Stryker“ combat vehicles, BTA recalls. It is planned to acquire 198 combat, reconnaissance and command and staff vehicles, special vehicles for nuclear, chemical and biological reconnaissance, for medical evacuation, for engineering support, transport and evacuation vehicles. Of these, 183 are combat vehicles from the “Stryker” family. The remaining 15 are auxiliary trucks. The start of deliveries is scheduled for the third quarter of 2025, and their end - for the first quarter of 2028. The main quantity of combat and auxiliary vehicles will be delivered in 2026 and 2027, with a delivery rate of ten vehicles per month.
The training of personnel in the defense system and the armed forces is evident in real life, when graduates occupy responsible command positions. The officers trained by our military education system prove that they are fully equal to their partners when they hold international positions at NATO headquarters and during the participation of the Bulgarian Army in international operations and missions of the UN, NATO and the EU. We must maintain this level and build on it in the direction of military education being closely linked to modern realities, practices and needs, the Minister commented.
Wars in the 21st century provide a serious impetus for the use of modern technologies, which necessitates rethinking our training, updating the curriculum, improving working and training conditions, adequate remuneration, but also increasing the requirements for personnel, Zapryanov added.
The new NATO capabilities package is much broader, more comprehensive and more demanding in implementation compared to the previous one, given that conventional warfare has returned to Europe and we must be ready to fight to protect the territorial integrity of our country and the alliance, the Minister of Defense pointed out.
We are entering another phase of modernization of the Armed Forces. A long-awaited stage for which a lot of effort was made at all levels, said Deputy Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Mikhail Popov at the ceremony.
Along with the new equipment and weapons that are already entering the armed forces, leaders and commanders with an innovative approach are needed. Commanders who have the qualities and motivation to contribute to preventing, deterring and responding to the threats to national security, said Lieutenant General Mikhail Popov.
Over 1,200 people are trained at the Military Academy “G. S. Rakovski“, said its head, Major General Stayko Prokopiev at today's ceremony.
The Military Academy “G. S. Rakovski“ is the oldest higher military school in Bulgaria. It was established by a law of March 1, 1912, adopted by the 15th National Assembly.
April 14, 2025 marks the 204th anniversary of the birth of the patron of the academy, Georgi Rakovski, a revolutionary and organizer of the national liberation movement. The Military Academy bears his name by a regent's decree of March 5, 1946. The holiday is regulated in the Regulations for the organization and activities of the academy, according to information from the BTA “Reference" department.