The U.S. State Department has given the green light for a potential sale of Stryker Vehicles and related equipment to Bulgaria at an approximate cost of $1.5 billion.
This determination was made public today after the Defense Security Cooperation Agency sent the required certification to Congress, highlighting the potential sale.
“The Government of the Republic of Bulgaria has requested to buy one hundred eighty-three (183) Stryker Family of Vehicles.” The detailed list of requested items includes 90 XM1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicles – Dragoon, 17 M1126 Infantry Carrier Vehicles, 9 M1132 Engineer Squad Vehicles, 33 M1130 Command Vehicles, and other specialised vehicles.
Additionally, there are requests for various support service equipment like M-153A4 Common Remote Operated Weapons Stations, M2A1 .50 calibre machine guns, Harris radios, and several other related elements of logistics and program support.
The report indicates that this potential sale stands to bolster U.S. foreign policy and national security interests by aiding an ally of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Specifically, the acquisition of these vehicles and equipment will enhance Bulgaria’s capabilities in rapid infantry deployment, force projection, and deterrence against regional threats. The document assures that the Bulgarian armed forces are well-equipped to integrate this equipment and services.
General Dynamics Land Systems, based in Anniston, AL, is slated to be the primary contractor for this deal.
So basically, a replacement for the 150 BTR60PB-MD1 Bulgaria had stored in sheds. (The iteration of the BTR family which has been superseded by the BTR70, BTR80 BTR90 and in Ukrainian service the BTR 4) Which funny enough Bulgaria decided to gift 100 of to the Ukraine last month. Two days ago I read that Bulgaria was trying to whittle down the $1.5 billion cost
They have managed to increase defence spending (from a very low level ) to 1.9% of GDP
Re cost of equipment: The Illinois Senator Everett Dirksen once stated, “A billion here, a billion there, pretty soon adds up to real money.” Of course, w/ inflation, it has to be updated by, “A trillion here, a trillion there… 🤔😉
Sorry, quote evidently is “… pretty soon you’re talking real money.” I really do need to consult Wiki before attempting quotes…🙄
Bulgarians are right to whittle down the figure. Unit price on average is £6.56m, way too much. That’s even more than a Boxer!!
I can imagine that soon the US will be providing its eastern european Nato countries with the same $3 bill pa military aid that it provides for Israel.
With the same proviso that its soley spent in US
Cant get through congress under current conditions but as previously happens an omnibus spending bill for multiple departments will get bundled together -with something for almost everyone- and it will be pushed through with little debate which steamrollers the factions that oppose it
You imagine wrongly. There is absolutely no appetite in the US Congress or in the country at large to provide foreign aid to any NATO country. Any military aid to Eastern European members of NATO will be accomplished through stationing or rotation of troops/planes/ships into the area and/or stockpiling support equipment/supplies for use by US troops.
Thats what I said – cant get through Congress in current circumstances.
Israel and Egypt both get huge amounts of annual military aid , which is spent in US. That is the formula which might be used
It won’t ever get through Congress under any circumstances. The US is just not going to give annual military aid to any NATO country like it gives to Israel. You are just so far off the mark.
Wow lucky Bulgaria, I hope the Bulgarian people thank the US congress for allowing them to buy some over priced Piranha. $1.5 billion, no local production seems like a pretty s**t deal.
Usually US Foreign Military Sales are good value, but not in this case. Stryker is derived from the Canadian LAV-III.
Pretty expensive for what they are getting.
Pales incomparison to what Latvia spent for 60y/o CVR(T)s…
True, very small orders come at an increased cost I suppose.
Average unit cost was €344,000. But there were add-on costs for Latvian comms, some upgrades etc.
Sir, I appreciate it was a bit like Trigger’s broom, but, they are 60 years old.
And given Latvian terrain, they are ideal. However, that is expensive and I’m not sure of your numbers, here are mine:
https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/defense/uk-arms-industry-giant-falls-short-on-commitment-to-latvian-partners.a337368/
Hi David,
More like 50 years old, but that is still old! I think AFVs should be replaced after about 25 years and that they should have had many significant upgrades during their British service.
Too many different figures flying around on this story. This one at link below says we sold 120 vehs for £39.4m (£320k each). There may have been additional charges made for spares, provision of a repair service, some upgrades. Who knows which story is correct?
https://www.army-technology.com/news/newsuk-sells-surplus-combat-reconnaissance-armoured-vehicles-to-latvia-4363305/
I think some surplus CVR(T)s also went to Ukraine?
£6.5m per vehicle, which even if modernized is a 30 year old design. I sort of understand why combat aircraft are so expensive. But I don’t get why a glorified truck costs so much. France seems to have kept the lid on costs for their Jaguar/Griffon afvs but Ajax is @ £9m apiece averaged over the fleet, most of which are not the most complex Ajax variant.
Hi Peter,
Im not entirely sure that the French have managed to keep a lid on their costs.
Not sure about the Griffon, but have read that the Jaguar costs are now in the region of 5 mill euros a vehicle as opposed to the initial 1 million price that was trumpeted at the start of the project. These things appear to have a way of increasing in price as to what is initially advertised!
I agree that it seems the initial ceiling price of €1m per unit proved unachievable. I have seen a more recent figure of €1.5m for Griffon. The less numerous but more complex Jaguar, with its CTA cannon, must have cost more but I haven’t found a final figure on any French website. The vehicles do look cheap in comparison with Boxer or Stryker though.
Well with Ajax you have to remember that’s is not a bog standard IFV or APC. Compared to the Stryker and Jaguar which are 20 ton range wheeled vehicles Ajax is tracked and 38-40 tonne vehicles with advanced ISTAR sensors and battlefield management capabilities…Ajax is essentially an high end ISTAR platform sat inside in old fashioned money what is a medium tank…Stryker is a wheeled APC.
I was amazed to find that GDUK paid LMUK $1b for 289 turrets for AJAX. £2.8m per turret seems an enormous amount. It’s no wonder defence budgets are under strain and fleet numbers continue to decline.
245 not 289 so even more expensive!
Peter wrote:
“”But it’s not is it. Here is what Bulgaria is getting for that $1.5 billion:””
I think you will find the Rover terminals, the Ranger radar and the TacFLIR® 280-HDEP systems costing quite a bit.
These additional elements are essential for the vehicles to operate as designed. The add on HEMMT and MCRS are relatively cheap. So the cost of acquiring 183 usable vehicles does average @£6.5 m or not much less.
For a relatively poor country like Bulgaria, that is expensive.