This article is about weapons and equipment. For detailed information on history and deployment, see Bulgarian Armed Forces.

This is a list of the equipment currently in use by the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Personnel equipment

Camouflage

Model Image Origin Type Variant Details
Bulgarian Land Forces camouflage  Bulgaria Digital Flecktarn-like pattern For temperate climate Replaced the old M2003 DPM camouflage. Adopted by the Bulgarian Land Forces around 2018, hence some refer to it as M18.[1] Oddly enough in 2011, years before the Bulgarian pattern was first shown to the public, a Russian camouflage pattern with unknown origin was seen with the 45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Regiment which looks very similar if not almost identical.[2]
Splinter pattern camouflage This pattern originates from the German WWII Splittertarnmuster camouflage pattern.[3] It was replaced by the M2003 DPM pattern but is still sometimes seen in use with tank crews.[4]
Digital Tropentarn-like pattern For desert climate The pattern is very reminiscent of Tropentarn. The pattern was first seen around 2016[5] and around 2017[citation needed] it was seen in use with the 32nd Bulgarian Contingent in Afghanistan.[6]
Bulgarian Military Police camouflage  Bulgaria Disruptive Pattern Material For temperate climate It's likely that this pattern is the same as the Land Forces' retired M2003 DPM camouflage.[7] Aside from the Military Police, DPM has practically been fully replaced in all branches of the Armed Forces.
MultiCam  United States MultiCam The camouflage pattern is sometimes seen in use with the Bulgarian Special Forces of the Joint Special Operations Command.[8] Occasionally seen with the Military Police as well.
Bulgarian Air Force Camouflage  United States Universal Camouflage Pattern The pattern was first seen around 2018.[9]

Gas masks

Model Image Origin Type Filter thread Details
PF-90  Bulgaria Gas mask 40mm STANAG & 40mm GOST Bulgarian-made gas mask with the unique feature of having both GOST and STANAG 40mm filter canister threads.
OM-90  Czech Republic Gas mask 40mm STANAG Czech gas mask, allegedly meant to replace the PF-90.[citation needed]
PMK-2  Soviet Union Gas mask 40mm GOST Not very common.[citation needed]
PDE-1  Bulgaria Gas mask none (internal cheek filters are used) Locally designated as "ПДЕ" (also referred to as "ПЛДЕ" or "П-1"). Copy of the Czechoslovak M10 gas mask (itself an unlicensed copy of the US M17 gas mask). Used in training.
PMG  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria 		Gas mask 40mm GOST Soviet gas mask, produced under license in Bulgaria. Used in training.

Knives

Model Image Origin Type Notes
6H2  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria 		Bayonet Produced locally.[10] Used on AK-47 rifles for ceremonial purposes.

Small arms

Sidearms

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
Sig Sauer SP2022  United States Semi-automatic pistol 9×19mm Parabellum Production in the United States.[citation needed] Used by Bulgarian Military Police, parts of the Land Forces and the Joint Special Operations Command.[11]
Makarov  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria 		Semi-automatic pistol 9×18mm Local production and standard issue to the Armed Forces. The earliest known locally produced examples are from 1975. Can be recognized through "((10))" arsenal markings, straight hammer serrations, slim star grip shells.[12] The Armed Forces are going to replace the Makarov pistol in the near future.The successor has to be chambered in 9x19mm.[13][14]

Assault rifles

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
AK-47
 Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Standard issue infantry rifle of the Armed Forces. Produced locally and modernized by Arsenal AD. Currently undergoing a modernization which is expected to be completed by 2025. The modernized rifles are designated as ''AK-47PT1''.[15][16]
AR-M1  Bulgaria Assault rifle 7.62×39mm The rifle isn't a standard issue weapon of the Armed Forces, but it is occasionally seen in training or on parades. Potentially used as a small-scale replacement for older worn-out AK-47 rifles.[citation needed] Produced locally by Arsenal AD. Some examples have been seen in service with the Special forces.
AR-M4SF  Bulgaria Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Carbine rifles produced by Arsenal JSCo and used by the Joint Special Operations Command and the Bulgarian Military Police.[17] Variants of the AR-M1 rifle. Limited usage.
AKM  Soviet Union Assault rifle 7.62×39mm Modernized variants in use by the Joint Special Operations Command (formerly known as the 68th Special Forces Brigade).[11] Occasionally seen on shooting competitions and during training. Not produced locally.

Semi-automatic rifles

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
SKS  Soviet Union Semi-automatic rifle 7.62×39mm Used by the National Guards Unit for ceremonial purposes only.

Submachine guns

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
Heckler & Koch MP5 /MP5SD3 / MP5K  Germany Submachine gun 9×19mm Parabellum Used by Bulgarian Special Forces[11] ( MP5, MP5SD3 and MP5K) and Military Police (MP5K).[17]

Shotguns

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
Benelli M4 Super 90  Italy Shotgun 12 Gauge Used By the Joint Special Operations Command[citation needed] and Military Police.[17]

Sniper rifles

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
Heckler & Koch MSG90A1
 Germany Sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO Standard of the Bulgarian Land Forces alongside the Dragunov. Also used by the Special Forces.[11]
SVD
 Soviet Union Semi-automatic sniper rifle, designated marksman rifle 7.62×54mmR Used by the Bulgarian Land Forces in the 101st Alpine Regiment
Mosin M91/30 PU
 Soviet Union Sniper rifle 7.62×54mmR Occasionally seen in use by the 101st Alpine Regiment. Limited usage.
Blaser R93 Tactical 2  Germany Sniper rifle .338 Lapua Magnum Used by the Joint Special Operations Command.[11]
Zastava M91  Yugoslavia Sniper rifle 7.62×54mmR Used In the Land Forces alongside the Dragunov SVD. Limited usage.
Heckler & Koch PSG1A1  Germany Semi-automatic sniper rifle 7.62×51mm NATO PSG-1A1 in use with the Military Police.[17]
Ritter & Stark SX-1  Austria Sniper rifle .338 Lapua Magnum

7.62×51mm NATO[17]

Used by the Bulgarian Military Police.[18][17]

Machine guns

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
PK/PKM  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 General-purpose machine gun 7.62×54mmR Used by Special Forces[11] and regular units. Produced locally.[12][19]
M240  United States General-purpose machine gun 7.62×51mm NATO Used by the Bulgarian Special Forces. Mounted on IAG Guardian Xtreme 4x4.[20]
NSV  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm Standard issue heavy machine gun of the Bulgarian Army and produced by Arsenal.[21] Usually mounted on T-72.
DShK  Soviet Union Heavy machine gun 12.7×108mm Currently only used by the Naval Forces on some of their ships.
M2 Browning  United States Heavy machine gun .50 BMG Used on the M1117 and to be used on the Stryker vehicles.[citation needed]

Anti-tank weapons

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
RPG-22  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Light anti-tank weapon High-explosive anti-tank with penetration of 400 mm versus RHA Produced locally at VMZ Sopot.[22] In service with the Special Forces.[11]
SPG-9  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Recoilless gun
Anti-tank gun		 73 mm (2.87 in) smoothbore[23] Produced locally as SPG-9DNM.[citation needed]
RPG-7  Soviet Union Bulgaria Rocket-propelled grenade launcher 40 mm Produced locally by Arsenal Corporation as ATGL-L.[24] In service with Special Forces[11] and the regular Land Force units.

Mortars

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
M6-211 Mortar  Bulgaria Light mortar 60mm Produced locally.[citation needed]
M82  Soviet Union Medium mortar 82mm
2B11  Soviet Union Heavy mortar 120mm Mounted on Tundzha B1-10 but can also be used outside of the vehicle.

Other small arms

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
Mk 19 grenade launcher  United States Automatic grenade launcher 40 mm grenade Used on the M1117.[citation needed]
FN 303  United States Semi-automatic less-lethal riot gun 17.3 mm (0.68 in) Used by the Land Forces and the Military Police during the country's participation in MNF–I.[25] Unknown current status.
UBGL-M7  Bulgaria Grenade launcher 40mm caseless grenade Underbarrel grenade launcher by Arsenal JSCo.[citation needed]
UBGL-M6  Bulgaria Grenade launcher 40mm caseless grenade Underbarrel grenade launcher by Arsenal JSCo.[citation needed]
GP-25  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Grenade launcher 40mm caseless grenade Produced locally by Arsenal AD as the UBGL[26] and the UBGL-1.[27]

Anti-tank guided missiles

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
FGM-148 Javelin  United States Fire-and-forget Anti-tank guided missile 127 mm 107 Javelin Lightweight Command Launch Units [LWCLU] and 218 Javelin FGM-148F missiles on order plus 420 Javelin for the Strykers.[28]
Spike NLOS Mk.5  Israel Ultra-long range Anti-tank guided missile 170mm Unspecified amount purchased and used by the Joint Special Operations Command.[citation needed] The Missile has a range of 32 km.[citation needed]
9K115 Metis  Soviet Union Anti-tank missile High-explosive anti-tank shaped charge [citation needed]
9K114 Shturm  Soviet Union Anti-tank missile High-explosive anti-tank shaped charge Used with the Bulgarian Air Force's Mi-24 helicopters.
9M113 Konkurs  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria 		Anti-tank missile 9N131 high-explosive anti-tank [citation needed]
9K111 Fagot  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Anti-tank missile High-explosive anti-tank warhead Produced locally.[citation needed]
9M14 Malyutka  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Anti-tank missile High-explosive anti-tank Produced locally and in reserve.[citation needed] It was mounted on BMP-1 and BMP-23.

Air defense systems

Model Image Origin Type Caliber Notes
9K34 Strela-3  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Man-portable air-defense system 1.17 kg directed-energy blast fragmentation warhead, 390 g HE content Assembled locally[citation needed]. In service with the Navy and Special Forces. Recently used during military exercises in 2024.[29]
9K32 Strela-2M  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria		 Man-portable air-defense system 1.15 kg directed-energy blast fragmentation warhead (Strela-2M), 370 g HE content Assembled locally and in reserve. Recently used during military exercises in 2024.[29]
Name Photo Origin Type In service Notes
ZU-23-2  Soviet Union AA gun N/A Most ZU-23-2s in Bulgarian service are mounted on ZIL-131 trucks.[30] Operated by the Land Forces.
9K33M3 Osa-AKM

(SA-8B Gecko Mod-1)

 Soviet Union 6×6 amphibious surface-to-air missile system 24[30] Highly mobile short-range surface-to-air missile system with 15km range.[30] In service with the Land Forces.
S-125M

(SA-3 Goa)

 Soviet Union Short-range air defense system N/A Operated by the Air Force. Still in use and partaking in military live firing.[29]
S-75 Dvina

(SA-2 Guideline)

 Soviet Union Medium-range air defense system N/A In service with the Air Force. Live firing tests were held again after a 10 year gap in 2021.[31]
2K12 Kub

(SA-6 Gainful)

 Soviet Union Tracked medium-range surface-to-air missile system 20[citation needed] Entered service in 1974.[citation needed] Operated by the Air Force despite its mobile capabilities and suitability for use with the Land Forces.
S-200 Vega-E

(SA-5 Gammon)

 Soviet Union Long-range high-altitude surface-to-air missile system 12 batteries[30] Entered service in 1984.[32] Operated by the Air Force.
S-300PMU

(SA-10 Grumble)

 Soviet Union Long-range surface-to-air and anti-ballistic missile system 8 batteries[30] Entered service in 1989.[33] Operated by the Air Force.
IRIS-T  Germany Medium and long-range surface-to-air missile system (6 SLM batteries and 1 SLX battery on order) On August 2, 2024 the Bulgarian cabinet sent a request to the parliament to obtain one IRIS-T SLM system for 182 114 000 euros.[34][35]

Armored and utility vehicles

Tanks

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Details
T-72  Soviet Union Main battle tank T-72 Ural[36]
T-72M
T-72M1

T-72M/М1 Mod. 2022

84[citation needed] Possibly 250+ in-store. In 2023, the Bulgarian Armed Forces received the first battalion of 44 T-72M/M1s upgraded locally by the state company TEREM with components provided by Elbit. A second batch of 40 vehicles to be modernized.[37][38] Some T-72M1s were purchased by Czechia and delivered to Ukraine.[39]

Infantry fighting vehicles

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
BMP-23  Bulgaria Infantry fighting vehicle BMP-23
BMP-23D
BRM-23 		70[30] Locally designed infantry fighting vehicle with a 23-mm automatic cannon, 9K111 Fagot anti-tank guided missile launchers with a total of six missiles.
BMP-1  Soviet Union Infantry fighting vehicle BMP-1P 90[30] Soviet tracked infantry fighting vehicle with amphibious capabilities and a 73-mm smoothbore gun.

Armored personnel carriers

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
MT-LB  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria 		armored personnel carrier MT-LB APC

B 1-10 Tundzha self-propelled mortar[40]

MT-LB command vehicle

MT-LB Ambulance

100[30] Possibly 600 in store. Light multi-purpose vehicle; mostly used as an armored personnel carrier. Some variants are used as ambulances. Produced locally under license.
MT-LBu command vehicle
BTR-60  Soviet Union
 Bulgaria 		armored personnel carrier BTR60PB

BTR-60PB-MD1

20[30] Modernized to the BTR-60PB-MD1 standards. Possibly 500 in store. Produced locally. 100 were delivered to Ukraine.[39]
Stryker
 United States armored fighting vehicle XM1296
M1126
M1132
M1130
M1133
M1135 		0/183 Bulgaria has ordered 183 Stryker and Dragoon armored vehicles. They will be additionally armored, equipped with Mk44 Bushmaster II gun, anti-tank missiles such as FGM-148 Javelin and communication systems.Bulgaria has ordered 90 XM1296s, 17 M1126s, 9 M1132s, 33 M1130s, 24 M1133s and 10 M1135s. To be delivered in 2025.[41][42]

Scout vehicles

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
BRDM-2  Soviet Union Scout car BRDM-2 12 armored scout car. 200 in reserve.[citation needed]
Anti-tank vehicle 9P148 "Konkurs" 24[43] Anti-tank vehicle based on BRDM-2 with five AT-5 Spandrel missiles.[citation needed]
M1117  United States Patrol vehicle 17[30] 4x4 multi-purpose armored patrol vehicle. An ambulance variant is also in service.[citation needed]

Utility vehicles and trucks

Light vehicles

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Mercedes-Benz G-Class  Austria
 Germany 		Armored off-roader G270 CDI[44]

G270 CDI FB6

G280 CDI[45][44]

600[citation needed] A contract has been signed with Germany for additional 300 4x4 armored G 280 CDi and non-armored G 270 CDi jeep; some units are armed with locally produced PKM machine guns.
IAG Guardian Xtreme  United Arab Emirates
 Bulgaria 		MRAP Guardian Extreme 4 delivered in 2021[46][47]

Unknown number delivered in 2022[46]

The armored tactical vehicles are made by the SAMARM joint project between Bulgarian manufacturer Samel 90 and UAE-based International Armored Group.[48] The vehicles are based on Ford F-550, retaining its chassis, engine and transmission. Some vehicles are equipped with a roof-mounted Guardian RWS.[49] Operated by the Joint Special Operations Command.
Plasan SandCat  Israel Patrol vehicle 27[30] 4x4 armored patrol vehicle used by the Military Police service.[citation needed]
Toyota Land Cruiser 79  United Arab Emirates
 Bulgaria
 Japan 		Armored Pickup truck, Combat Ambulance, Light Recon Vehicle 41 delivered in 2021[46][47]

22 delivered in February 2022[46][50]

Manufactured by International Armored Group. In use with the Joint Special Operations Command.[11] Some are equipped with a roof-mounted PKM machine gun.
HMMWV  United States Armored utility car M1114

M1151A1

52[citation needed] The vehicles were deployed in Afghanistan and continue to serve at home and abroad on peacekeeping missions. In service with the Joint Special Operations Command and Military Police.[11][citation needed]
UAZ-469  Soviet Union Russia Patrol vehicle 700[citation needed] Off-road military light utility vehicle.[44]
UAZ-452  Soviet Union Russia Utility truck N/A Off-road military light utility vehicle. Some units are used as ambulances.[44]
Peugeot Boxer  France Ambulance Peugeot Boxer Third generation 4x4 18+[51] Ambulance for the needs of the Bulgarian Army based on the Peugeot Boxer van.[52]
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter  Germany Transport van, Ambulance Sprinter First Generation

Sprinter Second Generation[45]

18[citation needed] Some are used as ambulances for the Military Medical Academy.

Trucks

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Mercedes-Benz Actros  Germany Actros 1317 A

Actros 1832 A 4x4

Actros 3346 A 6x6

Actros 1841 LS 4x4

Actros 2732 AK 6x6

Actros 3641 AK 8x8

Actros 2023 AK[53][44]

335[citation needed] The trucks were delivered in several batches in the 2000s until 2012.
Mercedes-Benz Zetros 6x6, 4x4 Off-road truck Zetros 2733 A 6x6

Zetros 1833 4x4[53][44]

Mercedes-Benz Unimog 4x4 Unimog Unimog U5000[53][44]
Tatra 815  Czechoslovakia 8x8 Tactical Truck N/A Often seen towing D-20 howitzers. Used to transport personnel.
LIAZ 100 Madara  Czechoslovakia Bulgaria Civilian truck LIAZ 100.05 N/A In service with the Armed Forces.[44] Some are in reserve.
ZIL-131  Soviet Union 6x6 General cargo truck N/A Most units are used for general cargo while some have a ZU-23-2 mounted in the back. There seems to be a number of these vehicles kept in reserve at storage facilities.
ZIL-130  Soviet Union Civilian truck N/A Used for general cargo.
GAZ-66  Soviet Union 4x4 Off-road truck N/A Used for general cargo.
IFA W 50  East Germany N/A Used for general cargo.
KrAZ-255  Soviet Union KrAZ-255 6x6

KrAZ-256 6x4

KrAZ-257 6x4[44]

N/A Mainly used for specialized purposes like contemporary bridge, pontoon systems and as an excavator.
Ural 375D  Soviet Union 6x6 multi-purpose truck N/A Used as a platform for BM-21 Grad, as a radar station and as a fuel tanker with the Air Force.
Ural-4320  Soviet Union 6x6 multi-purpose truck N/A Used as a platform for P-18 radar, fuel tankers, command vehicles.[citation needed]
MAZ-537  Soviet Union 8x8 Tank transporter N/A Used to transport bigger armored vehicles like T-72 tanks, BMP-1, BMP-23, BTR-60.
Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck  United States 8x8 Tactical Truck M1120A4 LHS
M984A5 Wrecker
M978A4 Fuel Servicing truck 		0/15 Bulgaria ordered 3 Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) Light Equipment Transports; 3 M1120A4 HEMTT Load Handling Systems; 3 M984A4 Wrecker HEMTTs and 6 M978A4 HEMTT Fuel Servicing Trucks with the Stryker vehicles. To be delivered in 2025.[citation needed]

Engineering and recovery vehicles

Name Photo Origin Type In service Notes
EOV-4421  Soviet Union Excavator truck N/A Military excavator based on a KrAZ-255 truck.
PZM-2  Soviet Union Trench-digging machine N/A Trench-digging machine based on a T-150K wheeled tractor.
MT-LB  Soviet Union armored engineering vehicle N/A [30][better source needed]
armored recovery vehicle
TV-62  Soviet Union Bulgaria armored recovery vehicle N/A Recovery vehicle based on a T-62 tank chassis.
BAT-M  Soviet Union Route-clearing vehicle N/A Based on the heavy AT-T tractor (itself based on a T-54 chassis). Used to clear minefields, create paths and dig trenches. Sometimes used during disaster relief operations.
MDK-2  Soviet Union Tracked trench-digging vehicle N/A Based on the heavy AT-T tractor (itself based on a T-54 chassis). Used for digging trenches.
BTM-3M  Soviet Union Tracked trench-digging vehicle N/A Based on the heavy AT-T tractor (itself based on a T-54 chassis).
ASTRA HD9 66.48  Italy Recovery truck 1[54] 6x6 recovery truck with a winch, crane and a heavy-duty under-lift.[55] Additional orders may come in the future.[54]
BLG-60M2  Soviet Union

 East Germany

Armored vehicle-launched bridge N/A Mechanized bridge based on a T-55 tank chassis. Still in use.
PMP  Soviet Union Mobile pontoon bridge N/A Mobile pontoon bridge carried by a KrAZ-255 truck. The system also has a BMK-130 towing boat (carried separately) as part of the kit.
TMM-3M  Soviet Union Bridge laying vehicle N/A 50 ton heavy mechanized bridge on KrAZ-255B truck chassis.

Artillery

Ballistic missile

Name Photo Origin Type In service Notes
SS-21 Scarab-A  Soviet Union Tactical ballistic missile N/A The only remaining ballistic missile system from the now-disbanded Rocket Forces; 8 TELs and a classified quantity of missiles are left in service. As of 2023 the complex is still in service although it has been seen rarely.

MLRS

Name Photo Origin Type In service Notes
BM-21  Soviet Union Multiple rocket launcher 24[30] 122-mm multiple-launch rocket system. Over 200 in reserve. Some BM-21s were purchased by Czechia and delivered to Ukraine.[39]

Self-propelled artillery

Name Photo Origin Type In service Notes
2S1 Gvozdika  Soviet Union Self-propelled howitzer 48[30] 122-mm self-propelled howitzer (possibly 500 in reserve) Some 2S1s were purchased by Czechia and delivered to Ukraine.[39]

Towed artillery

Name Photo Origin Type In service Notes
D-20  Soviet Union Howitzer 24[30] 152-mm towed howitzer; standard heavy artillery piece of the Bulgarian Army. Some D-20s were purchased by Czechia and delivered to Ukraine.[39]

Counter-battery radars

Name Photo Origin Type In service Details
ARTHUR Mod C  Norway
 Sweden 		Counter-battery radar ~1[citation needed] Operated by the 4th Artillery Regiment since late 2024[56] Mounted on a Tatra Force 4x4 truck.

Drones

Name Photo Origin Type Details
Aerosonde Mk4.7  United States Winged Surveillance/Reconnaissance UAV The Aerosonde Mk 4.7 was developed for aerial reconnaissance, surveillance, obtaining information on ground and moving targets. The system can also be used as a means of conducting reconnaissance of artillery targets.[57]
AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven  United States Winged Surveillance/Reconnaissance UAV The RQ-11 Raven is a small hand-launched remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle.The Bulgarian Land Forces operate the RQ-11 since 2015.[58]
Aquilla  Greece VTOL Surveillance/Reconnaissance UAV 12 Drones acquired through tactical reconnaissance UAV program.[59][60]
DJI Mini 3 Pro  China Quadcopter Compact quadcopter drone used by the Land Forces.
DJI Matrice  China Quadcopter Industrial quadcopter drone used by the Land Forces.

Communications

Name Photo Origin Type Details
R-412  Soviet Union Tactical troposcatter relay Mounted on a KamAZ truck.
Radio access vehicle unknown Radio access vehicle Provides radio communication to field command posts via HF, VHF and UHF radios and connection to ANCMO TETRA. Mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000 truck.
Radio relay vehicle unknown Radio relay vehicle Designed to provide communication and information services via radio relay and fiber channels to the command post. Mounted on a Mercedes-Benz Unimog U5000 truck.

Aircraft

Combat aircraft

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
MiG-29 Fulcrum  Soviet Union Fighter aircraft MiG-29 9.12A

MiG-29UB

10

3[61][better source needed]

22 planes were procured between 1989 and 1990. (18 MiG-29 9.12A and 4 MiG-29UB 9.51) Two MiG-29A and one MiG-29UB have been lost to crashes.[62] Not all remaining aircraft are still airworthy or in active service.
Su-25 Frogfoot  Soviet Union Attack aircraft Su-25K

Su-25UBK

5

2[61][better source needed]

40 planes were delivered between 1986-1988. (36 Su-25K and 4 Su-25UBK)[63] According to the Ministry of Defense there were 14 operational planes as of 2018. (It must be noted that the planes are preserved but not all are in active service.) 8 planes were overhauled and modernized in Belarus between 2020-2021.[64] In 1989 a Su-25K crashed, killing the pilot.[65] In 2022 a recently modernized Su-25K crashed while landing and the pilot ejected successfully.[66]
F-16 Fighting Falcon  United States Multirole combat aircraft F-16C Block 70

F-16D Block 70

0/10

0/6

In 2018 Bulgaria purchased 8 F-16 Block 70 and in 2019 expanded the order to 16 F-16 Block 70. The planes will eventually replace MiG-29.

Trainer aircraft

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Aero L-39  Czechoslovakia Jet trainer L-39ZA 6 Between 1986 and 1990 36 L-39ZA were obtained. Two planes have been lost in fatal crashes in 1990[67] and 2024[68] Between 2022-2023 2 planes were overhauled and modernized at Aero Vodochody. In 2024 a second contract was signed for the modernization and overhaul of two more L-39ZA planes.
Pilatus PC-9   Switzerland Trainer PC9M 6[30]

Transport

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Alenia C-27J  Italy Transport C-27J 3 Currently the main cargo plane of the Bulgarian Air Force.
Pilatus PC-12   Switzerland Transport / Utility PC-12/45 1 The plane is mainly used for VIP transportation.
Antonov An-30  Soviet Union Survelliance An-30B 1 Used for aerial cartography and surveillance. Currently grounded in Ukraine whilst it was undergoing repairs since 2022.
Let L-410  Czech Republic Transport L-410UVP-E3 2
Antonov An-2  Soviet Union Transport An-2TD 1 Used for paratrooper training

Helicopters

Name Photo Origin Type Variant In service Notes
Bell 206  United States Utility Bell 206B-3 6 4 are used for training.
Eurocopter AS532  France CSAR / Transport AS532AL 12
Mil Mi-24  Soviet Union Attack helicopter Mi-24V 4[citation needed]
Mil Mi-17  Soviet Union Transport Mi-17-1V 1[citation needed]
Eurocopter AS565 Panther  France Maritime patrol/

ASW

AS565 MB 2 Initially there were 3 helicopters but one was lost in a crash in 2017. Operated by the Bulgarian Navy.
Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin AS365 N3+ 1 One unit was obtained in 2019 to replace the previously lost AS565 Panther. Operated by the Bulgarian Navy.[69]

Potential/future acquisitions

Name Image Origin Type Quantity Details
New 5.56×45mm NATO rifles for the Joint Special Operations Command
HK416(Picture is illustrative)
 Unknown Assault rifle Unknown To replace current Special Forces rifles.[70][71]
New 5.56×45mm NATO Light machine guns for the Joint Special Operations Command
M249 (Picture Is Illustrative)
 Unknown Light machine gun Unknown To replace current special forces LMGs.[72][71]
New 7.62×51mm NATO General-purpose machine guns for the Joint Special Operations Command
M240 (Picture is illustrative)
 Unknown General-purpose machine guns Unknown To replace current special forces GPMGs.[73][71]
New 9×19mm pistols
Heckler & Koch VP9 (Picture is illustrative
 Unknown Handgun Unknown There is a project to buy a new handgun which would replace the Makarov as the standard-issue pistol of the Bulgarian Land Forces.[74][75]
New Designated marksman rifles for the Land Forces
Heckler & Koch G28(Picture is illustrative)
 Unknown Designated marksman rifle Unknown The land forces have initiated a procurement order to buy DMRs to replace the SVD.[74]
Reconnaissance Drones
Picture is illustrative
  Israel Tactical reconnaissance UAV 2 yet to be delivered Bulgaria's Ministry of Defence invited 24 companies in the country and abroad to bid to supply 14 tactical reconnaissance drones for military use.

The first lot involves the supply of 12 mini drone systems, and the second lot involves delivery of 2 small UAVs. In the end, a Greek company based in Athens was ranked first for the delivery of the 12 mini drone systems. A company from Israel has been selected to supply 2 small UAVs.[76]

CAESAR
 France 155 mm Self propelled howitzer 24-36 The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence plans to acquire new 155 mm artillery systems.Some of the requirements are for the artillery to be wheeled for mobility and to have an armored hull. The favorites for this project are CAESAR by Nexter Systems and ATMOS 2000 by Elbit Systems.[77][78]
ATMOS 2000
 Israel
NASAMS(or other system which can utilize the AIM-9X Sidewinder).
Picture is illustrative
  Norway
 United States or

other.

Surface-to-air missile systems able to utilize AIM-9X Sidewinder Unknown The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence plans to acquire Surface-to-air missile systems which can utilize the AIM-9X Sidewinders which are going to be used by the Bulgarian Air Force's F-16 Block 70s.[79]
New 3D radars
Picture of the Israeli proposal-The ELM-2084.
  Israel
 United States
 Spain
 France
 Italy 		Early warning

radar

5 stationary and 2 mobile The companies that are participating in the competition are Israeli company Elta Systems, US company Lockheed Martin, Spanish company Indra Sistemas, French company Thales Group and Italian company Leonardo S.p.A.. The radars will be used by the Bulgarian Air Force.[80]
New Coastal Defense System
Illustrative Picture RBS 15
  United States
 Sweden 		Coastal Anti-ship missiles Unknown Bulgaria is buying a coastal anti-ship system. Being considered are the Naval Strike Missile and RBS 15 Mk.3 which will be used by the Bulgarian Navy to replace the existing 4K51 Rubezh system currently in service.[81][82]
New Trucks
Picture is illustrative(Tatra 815)
 Unknown Tactical truck 320 To replace all Soviet trucks in use with the Land Forces[83]
M142 HIMARS
 United States Multiple Launch Rocket System 18-20 The Bulgarian Ministry of Defence and The Chief of Defence are interested in acquiring a MLRS system for the Bulgarian Land Forces.[84] The favorite for the project is the HIMARS with the PULS and K239 Chunmoo also being considered.[82]
PULS
 Israel
K239 Chunmoo
 South Korea
New Attack Helicopters
AH-64 Apache (Picture is illustrative)
 Yet to be decided. Attack helicopter Unknown New attack helicopters are a part of the military modernization program until 2032. They most likely will replace the aging Mil Mi-24s of the Bulgarian Air Force.[85]

Retired equipment

  • PT-76 amphibious tanks (250)
  • T-62 tanks (250, sold to Ethiopia, Yemen and Angola
  • PTS
  • T-55AM2 tanks (1,400 kept in storage in the province of Montana)[citation needed]
  • T-34 tanks (177, some sold to Mali and other African countries; 42 kept in storage near the village of Ohrid, Bulgaria; some are used as anti-tank weapons targets; the rest of the tanks were scrapped)
  • BRDM-1
  • BTR-152
  • BTR-40
  • BTR-50PU
  • SS-23 (8 launchers + 24 missiles, destroyed)
  • FROG-7 (24 launchers + dozens of missiles, destroyed)
  • Scud-B (36 launchers + dozens of missiles, destroyed)
  • AT-1 Snapper anti-tank guided missiles
  • BM-13 multiple rocket launchers

See also

References

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    Kuzmin, Vitaly (2011-07-20), Русский: 7,62-мм пулемёт пехотный «Печенег» из 45-й отдельный гвардейский полк специального назначенияEnglish: PKP Pecheneg of 45th Separate Guards Special Purpose Regiment, retrieved 2024-12-17

  3. ^ "Bulgaria - Camopedia". www.camopedia.org. Retrieved 2025-02-07.
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    Pugh, U. S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt Marcel (2018-09-15), English: U.S. Soldiers from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division conduct a combined situational training exercise with Bulgarian Soldiers, Novo Selo Training Area, Sept. 15, 2018. This exercise is in support of Atlantic Resolve, an enduring training exercise between NATO and U.S. Forces. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Jamar Marcel Pugh, 382nd Public Affairs Detachment/ 1st ABCT, 1st CD/Released), retrieved 2025-02-07

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  46. ^ a b c d In 2020 the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense ordered 98 armored vehicles "of 10 different modifications" from Samel-90 PLC. Among them are IAG Guardian Xtreme 4x4 and armored Toyota Land Cruiser 79 trucks. In 2021 45 vehicles were delivered.(Out of which 4 were Guardian Xtreme with the rest being modifications of Toyota Land Cruiser 79.) By October 2022 it was reported that 92 machines are already available, but without further clarification.
  47. ^ a b ВОЕНЕН ТЕЛЕВИЗИОНЕН КАНАЛ (2021-12-22). Доставиха първите 45 бронирани машини от договора за Специалните сили. Retrieved 2025-01-17 – via YouTube.
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  51. ^ The first delivery in August 2024 consisted of 18 vehicles, but deliveries continued throughout 2024.
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  • [1] or [2] The download link(s) to details of Bulgaria's military equipment, including the reserve as of 2013. Note: some of the reserve items are not listed on this page, such as the 430 T55's in reserve status.
Allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_modern_equipment_of_the_Bulgarian_Armed_Forces
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