Bulgaria’s Cabinet approves large-scale military joint acquisition deals with Italy, France and Spain
Bulgaria’s Cabinet approved on November 11 agreements and memoranda with France, Italy and Spain on the joint acquisition of artillery ammunition, military vehicles and anti-drone systems under the EU’s SAFE programme
The largest of the projects by declared value is for the acquisition of up to 1040 military transport vehicles from Italy. The maximum budget envisaged is 410 million euro, with deliveries to be carried out in two stages.
The first covers the period from 2027 to 2030 and envisages the purchase of up to 700 vehicles worth up to 290 million euro. The financing will be provided through SAFE, and the amount also includes training of military personnel, technical support and spare parts.
The second stage should be completed by the end of 2032 and provides for the delivery of the remaining machines, up to a total of 1040. This will require additional funds of up to 120 million euro.
The project aims to improve the transport provision and operational readiness of the army. Opportunities for industrial cooperation are also envisaged, including the assembly of part of the equipment in Bulgaria with the participation of Bulgarian industry.
Bulgaria will prepare a framework agreement with France for the joint acquisition of 155-mm ammunition for the Caesar self-propelled howitzers.
This is the next step in the implementation of the project for the development of the artillery capabilities of the Bulgarian Army.
In 2025, the two countries signed a framework agreement for the acquisition of the howitzers themselves. The National Assembly is yet to approve the investment expenditure project, after which the individual orders with the specific financial parameters and deadlines will be signed.
Bulgaria will cooperate with Spain in the acquisition of systems to counter unmanned aerial vehicles. The approved memorandum provides for the joint purchase of up to 10 mobile systems and up to 10 container-type systems. Spain is the lead country in the project.
The next steps are for the National Assembly to approve the relevant investment expenditure project and for Bulgaria to join Spain’s contract for the acquisition of the systems.
All three projects are part of the efforts to develop Bulgaria’s defense capabilities through joint European procurement under SAFE. The documents approved by the government mark the beginning of the next stages, but the acquisitions will require additional decisions and the conclusion of specific contracts.
