General Dynamics and Patria submit valid offers for Bulgarian armored vehicles tender.

Bulgaria has received two valid offers from Patria and General Dynamics for its tender for the purchase of 150 armored vehicles worth an estimated 1.46 billion levs ($838 million/746 million euro), Defence Minister Krassimir Karakachanov said, reported by AuthorMario Tanev on SeeNews.

Patria AMV 8x8 XP (Picture source: Army Recognition)

Patria said it is offering to supply 150 of its AMV 8x8 XP vehicles: 90 combat vehicles and 60 support vehicles. In August, Bulgaria sent requests for proposals to four manufacturers - Patria, General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS)-MOWAG with its Piranha V, Rheinmetall/Artec (Germany) with its Boxer, and Nexter Group (France) with its VBCI.

Bulgaria had announced on Friday, July 19, 2019, a tender for the supply of 150 wheeled armored vehicles for its armed forces. The Bulgaria Ministry of Defense had invited four Defense Companies to send an offer, including Rheinmetall- Krauss-Maffei Wegmann from Germany, Nexter from France, Patria from Finland and General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS). 

In February 2019, Bulgarian Ministry of Defence has delayed the procurement of 150 new wheeled armored vehicles to equip three battalion-size battlegroups for a mechanized brigade. Fo this new tender, Bulgaria plans to select a winner for December 2019. In June, the Bulgarian defense ministry had announced a plan to spend €1.75 billion on rearmament programs between 2017 and 2029. The programs envisage purchasing new combat aircraft for €750 million, multi-purpose modular patrol vessels for €410 million and military equipment for land forces for €610 million.