In a move to strengthen regional security and NATO interoperability, the United States has approved a potential $620 million Foreign Military Sale to Bulgaria. The transaction will equip Bulgaria with a Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System and an array of advanced defense infrastructure.
The agreement outlines the delivery of tactical Naval Strike Missiles and three Link-16 MIDS-JTRS units, providing Bulgaria with secure and reliable communication for joint operations. The defense package also includes mobile missile launch vehicles and fire control centers outfitted with integrated communications technologies to support rapid deployment and targeting.
Supplementary components such as GPS receivers, training consoles for operators, and systems for missile handling and transport are part of the proposed sale. The deal also entails integration assistance and technical support facilitated by the U.S. government and the Norwegian defense company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace, which has been selected as the prime contractor.
As part of the implementation process, three to five U.S. personnel, including government and contractor staff, will be temporarily deployed to Bulgaria to assist with training and system integration.
The U.S. Department of Defense emphasized that the sale not only bolsters Bulgaria’s national defense but also contributes to the collective security objectives of NATO. The initiative aims to strengthen Bulgaria’s deterrence posture and ensure seamless coordination with allied military forces.
