The United States has approved a possible major arms sale to Bulgaria, marking a significant step in defense cooperation between the two nations.
Major U.S. Approval for Defense Upgrade in Bulgaria
The U.S. State Department has given the green light to a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) that would provide the Government of Bulgaria with a Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System (NSM CDS) and associated equipment. The total estimated cost for this deal is $620 million.
This proposed sale has been officially certified and forwarded to the U.S. Congress by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA). Such certification is a required step in the Foreign Military Sales process. It ensures all involved parties, including lawmakers, are informed of large-scale international defense agreements. The announcement signifies the United States’ intent to help NATO allies enhance their defense capabilities, particularly in the European region.
This move will boost Bulgaria’s ability to respond to modern military threats and will improve its cooperation with NATO partners. The new system will increase Bulgaria’s readiness and strengthen its ability to defend its coastlines against any potential maritime threat. The United States will provide this support without affecting its own defense readiness.
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What Bulgaria Will Receive in This Massive Deal
Under this proposed sale, Bulgaria will acquire a complete Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defense System. The system includes several advanced technologies and platforms designed for coastal defense operations.
The request from Bulgaria includes:
- Tactical Naval Strike Missiles (NSM)
- Inert NSM units for training and handling practice
- Telemetered NSM for test and evaluation purposes
- Mobile fire control centers equipped with advanced communications gear
- Mobile missile launcher vehicles also equipped with communication systems
- Transport and loading vehicles specifically designed for NSM handling
- NavStrike-M GPS receivers for accurate targeting
- Operator trainer consoles to help Bulgarian personnel learn system usage
- Simple Key Loaders (SKL) for secure communication setups
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In addition to the hardware, Bulgaria will also receive a wide range of support items such as:
- Technical publications and documentation
- Training simulators and instructional material
- Spare parts and software support
- Integration services to help blend the system with existing Bulgarian defense frameworks
- Assistance from U.S. government representatives and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) experts
Three to five U.S. personnel—including government and contractor representatives—will travel to Bulgaria for temporary assignments to ensure successful installation and operation of the system. They will provide support for up to five years, assisting with system integration, training, and technical issues.
Regional Impact and Industry Involvement
This arms deal is designed to support the U.S. foreign policy objective of strengthening the defenses of NATO allies. Bulgaria, a NATO member, plays a strategic role in the stability of Europe, both politically and economically. The proposed sale will improve the country’s national defense posture and allow it to work more smoothly with both U.S. forces and other NATO members.
Importantly, this sale does not shift the basic military balance in the region. It simply upgrades Bulgaria’s ability to defend its territory, particularly along its coastline. The weapons and systems involved are focused on deterring threats rather than initiating conflict.
The main contractor for this deal will be Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace AS, based in Kongsberg, Norway. The company produces the Naval Strike Missile and related defense technologies. Currently, no parties have tied any offset agreement to this deal. Offset agreements usually involve local industry participation or economic compensation. If an agreement arises, Bulgaria and Kongsberg will negotiate it directly.
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Officials estimated the $620 million cost based on the highest possible quantity and value of equipment Bulgaria may purchase. The final cost may decrease depending on Bulgaria’s specific requirements, budget approvals, and the signed agreement.
According to the U.S. government, there will be no negative effects on the military readiness of American forces due to this sale. The equipment and personnel involved are allocated specifically for foreign military sales, without disrupting U.S. domestic defense needs.
This sale underscores the growing defense relationship between the United States and Bulgaria, with a focus on enhancing regional security and maintaining international peace through strong, well-equipped allies.