CAMP MURRAY, Wash. – With the ongoing transformation of the 81st Brigade from a Stryker to a Mobile Brigade, the Washington National Guard transferred eight Strykers to the Bulgarian Land Forces through the Foreign Military Sales office.
Brig. Gen. Paul Sellars, commanding general of the Washington National Guard, and his team visited key leaders in Bulgaria April 15-17 as part of the sale to ensure the transaction's success and to discuss the importance of the U.S. military and the Bulgarian Army working together.
“The first machines that are on the ground here arrived from Washington state, so we came to see for ourselves that the project is underway and being successfully implemented. We currently have eight machines here that we are working with. We have a team on site that helps with the introduction of the equipment, initial training and maintenance,” said Sellars during an interview with the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense.
In November 2023, the Bulgarian parliament approved the purchase of the Stryker Fighting Vehicles from the U.S. The first batch of Strykers arrived in February and marks the initial phase of a broader procurement effort conducted through international defense agreements to upgrade the Bulgarian Army’s combat capabilities.
“The interactions between the Bulgarian and American military personnel will be aimed at supporting training and gaining operational understanding of the platform,” Sellars said. “We spent ten years with these machines, and we appreciate the opportunity to find them a suitable new home, as well as to see the motivation and desire of the people to train.”
Bulgaria’s acquisition of Stryker armored vehicles from the United States is one of the most significant modernization efforts in its land forces since joining NATO. This also reflects a broader regional trend of Eastern European militaries upgrading capabilities in response to evolving security threats.
The Stryker deal also was aided by the Tennessee National Guard, which has been the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program partner for Bulgaria since 1993. The Tennessee National Guard did not have knowledge of the Stryker platform but did have connections in Washington.
“Tennessee approached Washington and said, ’Look, we have a great program to modernize the Bulgarian Land Forces with Strykers. Can you help us with the introduction of these machines?’ And we said, ‘Of course,’” Sellars said. “The first Strykers here are ours, so we feel a sense of pride, especially when Tennessee approached us with a request to assist in this project.”
Washington is providing training through the first-of-its-kind, Foreign Military Sales-funded Mobile Training Team.
The Bulgaria Stryker Program includes the delivery of 183 Strykers, which will eventually form a new brigade-level capability for the Bulgarian Land Forces.
“The level of enthusiasm that we see in the 61st Brigade around receiving the machines is truly impressive – the servicemen are highly motivated and extremely engaged,” Sellars said. “With such a team, the process of training and mastering the equipment will develop quickly and effectively.”