Bulgaria’s Parliament approves increased price asked by US for Stryker armoured combat vehicles
Bulgaria’s Parliament voted on July 9 to approve the increased price asked by the United States for the acquisition of 183 Stryker armoured combat vehicles and other equipment.
The amendment to the financial parameters was tabled by the Cabinet on July 3 and approved by Parliament with 156 votes in favour and 11 against.
The votes in favour came from Progressive Bulgaria, GERB-UDF, the Movement for Rights and Freedoms, Democratic Bulgaria and We Continue the Change.
The votes against came from Parliament’s smallest group, pro-Russian party Vuzrazhdane.
The total cost of the project is now becomes about $1.414 billion, compared with the $1.376 billion when the contract with the US was signed in 2023.
The Cabinet said that the reasons for the higher cost included rising inflation, higher administrative and transport fees, higher prices for certain raw materials, electronic components and optics needed to produce elements and parts for combat vehicles and their assemblies.
A significant impact also arises from changes in the training requirements for personnel to implement the new equipment.
The 1.414 billion includes $20 million for contingency costs. In addition, Bulgaria will abandon the acquisition of 17 drones for combat vehicles, as they were too expensive.
A total of 198 vehicles are expected to arrive in Bulgaria, including 183 Strykers – infantry vehicles, command vehicles and medical evacuation vehicles, as well as several service vehicles. So far, only a few vehicles have arrived, and it recently emerged that there will be a delay in delivery.
