Dragoons from Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment advance in a Stryker during a joint training exercise with Lithuanian soldiers in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve at Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, March 2, 2015. Photo: DVIDS
By Matthew Beinart |
@mbeinart22
1 year ago |
09/01/2023
highlights

The State Department has approved a potential $1.5 billion deal with Bulgaria for over 180 Stryker vehicles and associated equipment.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress on Friday of the new foreign military sale (FMS).

Dragoons from Lightning Troop, 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment advance in a Stryker during a joint training exercise with Lithuanian soldiers in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve at Pabrade Training Area, Lithuania, March 2, 2015. Photo: DVIDS

Under the deal, Bulgaria would specifically receive 90 XM1296 “Dragoon” vehicles, 17 M1126 Strykers, nine M1132 Engineer Squad vehicles, 33 M1130 Command vehicles, 24 M1133 Medical Evacuation vehicles and 10 M1135 Nuclear, Biological, Chemical, Reconnaissance vehicles.

Along with General Dynamics Land Systems [GD]-built Strykers, the deal also includes five HEMTT Light Equipment Transport trucks and five M984A4 Wrecker HEMTTS built by Oshkosh Defense [OSK], along with five Modular Catastrophic Recovery Systems. 

The new FMS case with Bulgaria also covers 107 M240 coaxial 7.62mm machine guns, M-153A4 Common Remotely Operated Weapons Stations, forward repair systems, M2A1 .50 caliber machine guns, M6 smoke grenade launchers, radios and RS6 (LW30) Remote Weapon Systems.

“The proposed sale will improve Bulgaria’s rapid infantry deployment and force projection capability. Bulgaria will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats,” the DSCA said in a statement.