Bulgaria to transfer about 100 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine

22 July, 2023 BTR-60PB-MD1 armored personnel carrier on parade in Bulgaria.

2006. Photo by Kiril Kapustin The Bulgarian parliament has approved the transfer of about a hundred armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, expecting to receive armored vehicles from the United States, BGNES reports.

It is reported that armored personnel carriers will be transferred from the depots of the Bulgarian Ministry of Internal Affairs. The joint conclusion of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the country indicates that the transfer of armored vehicles will not harm its defense capability. "We must give armored personnel carriers to Ukraine, because Ukrainians are fighting not only for their freedom, but also for ours," said MP Ivaylo Mirchev.

BTR-60PB-MD1 armored personnel carrier of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.

Photo from open sources

Opinions on the transfer of equipment were divided, some deputies condemned the decision, citing its obsolescence and the absence of representatives of the Ministry of Defense at the meeting. "Have you ever decided to provide Ukraine with military, medical and other assistance, and where is your list now? With this solution, we can send equipment to Ukraine from the Military History Museum in Slatyn and there are weapons in Geo Milev (neighborhood in Sofia, Bulgaria - ed.), let's also add it!

You see how you ridiculously sympathize with the citizens of Ukraine, sending equipment that is no longer needed," said deputy Georgy Svilensky. Other MPs insisted on keeping the equipment until it was replaced by a new one. As Militarnyi earlier reported, Bulgaria began to consider transferring hundreds of armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.

To replace Bulgaria could potentially receive M1117 armored personnel carriers from the United States.

M1117 armored vehicles of the Bulgarian military.

2020. Greece. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria

"Our goal is that after we send these about 100 armored personnel carriers, we will receive American assistance to strengthen our defense capability.

We hope that the proposal, which was as of December 2022, is still relevant.

Negotiations are ongoing," Mirchev said.

Bulgaria entered into an agreement for the purchase of M1117 armored vehicles back in 2007.