US readies $1.5 bln armoured vehicles sale to Bulgaria

The DSCA has notified the U.S. Congress of the proposed sale, the government agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Defense, said in a press release on Friday. The sale is being authorised at the request of the Bulgarian government, although DSCA gave no further details of whether an agreement has been signed or the potential timeline of delivery.

"The proposed sale will improve Bulgaria’s rapid infantry deployment and force projection capability. Bulgaria will use this enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats. Bulgaria will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces," DSCA said.

Alabama-based military vehicle manufacturer General Dynamics Land Systems will act as the principal contractor, according to the statement. No known offset agreements were proposed in relation to the potential sale.

As part of the proposed agreement, 20 representatives from the contractor company will need to spend 24 months in Bulgaria to carry out activities in support of logistics, training and component assembly, the U.S. government agency said.

($ = 0.9257 euro)