2023-09-01 22:33:29
The United States announced Friday the approval of the sale of armored vehicles to Bulgaria for the amount of 1.5 billion dollars, a new major transaction with an Eastern European country member of the NATO, in the context of the war in Ukraine.
The US State Department has told Congress that it has given the green light to the sale of 183 Stryker armored vehicles, half of which are infantry transport vehicles, to Bulgaria.
The sale will “enhance Bulgaria’s rapid infantry deployment and force dispatch capabilities”, a statement said.
“Bulgaria will use its increased capabilities to strengthen its internal defense and as a deterrent against regional threats,” according to the same source.
The sale comes a month after Bulgaria, which has large stockpiles of Soviet weapons, agreed to send around 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.
A first for this Balkan country hitherto reluctant to help kyiv directly because of strong historical ties with Moscow.
The United States has stepped up military aid and equipment sales to Ukraine and NATO member countries since Russia invaded Kiev last year.
Washington thus approved on August 21 a giant arms contract including the sale of a hundred Apache attack helicopters, with Poland, major support of Ukraine, for an amount of 12 billion dollars.
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