Bulgaria’s potential military aid to Ukraine might mark a significant escalation in their military support, as reported by “Euronews Bulgaria” on July 13, 2023. According to the details, Bulgaria may provide 100 Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles to Ukraine from its current military inventory.
The initiative has high-profile backing from the country’s leadership, including Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, the ministers of defense and interior, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Defense Hristo Gadzhev, and the leader of the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB) Boyko Borisov.
The proposed donation has an additional strategic advantage for Bulgaria. In exchange for their military aid to Ukraine, the Bulgarian armed forces could receive military equipment and combat vehicles from the United States.
If the donation goes through, it will represent the largest military aid package from Bulgaria to Ukraine to date. The Bulgarian Parliament had already greenlighted military aid to Ukraine on November 3, 2022, promising to flesh out the details in the following month.
Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Bulgaria has already sent an undisclosed number of T-72M1s, delivered via the Czech Republic, along with 152mm and 155mm artillery shells. The latter was purchased by the US from Bulgaria and started being delivered in March 2023.
The proposed APCs, currently in service with the Bulgarian army, include tracked armored MT-LB and the BTR-60PB-MD, a Bulgarian variant of the Soviet-made BTR-60PB. The upgraded BTR-60PB-MD is equipped with smoke grenade launchers, a diesel engine, night vision equipment, a new NBC system, and modern radios.
The MT-LB is a Soviet multi-purpose fully amphibious auxiliary armored tracked vehicle that has seen extensive use across various countries since its introduction in the 1960s. Capable of diverse roles, such as an armored personnel carrier, command vehicle, recovery vehicle, and more, the MT-LB remains a valuable asset to many militaries due to its adaptability and robust design.
The potential donation marks a significant step in Bulgaria’s military support for Ukraine and could potentially change the dynamics of the ongoing conflict.
