174 Stryker vehicles to be assembled in Bulgaria soon

At least 174 Stryker vehicles are lined up for their final assembly in Bulgaria, a process that is set to kick off next year. This update comes straight from Lyuben Yovchev, the head of Research and Development at the Terem state military repair company.

Bulgaria has invested $1.5 billion to acquire a diverse fleet of military vehicles, including 90 M1296 Infantry Carrier Vehicles [ICVs], 17 M1126 ICVs, 33 M1130 Command Vehicles, nine M1132 Engineer Vehicles, 24 M1133 Medical Evacuation Vehicles, and 10 M1135 Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical [NBC] Reconnaissance Vehicles. This acquisition is part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Defense to modernize the Bulgarian armed forces.

The M1296 Stryker ICV is a more advanced variant of the Stryker series used by the United States Army. It’s designed to offer both enhanced firepower and superior protection for infantry troops. Notably, the M1296 is equipped with a 30mm automatic cannon, giving it a significant edge in firepower over the standard M1126 Stryker ICV, which usually features a .50 caliber machine gun or a 40mm grenade launcher.

The M1126 Stryker ICV stands as the cornerstone of the Stryker family, primarily tasked with the safe transport of infantry troops. This eight-wheeled, armored vehicle strikes a fine balance between mobility, protection, and firepower. It’s equipped with a Remote Weapon Station [RWS] capable of housing various armaments, including a .50 caliber M2 machine gun or a 40mm Mk 19 grenade launcher.