Bulgaria Army

The Bulgarian Land Forces are headquartered in Sofia and operate under the Ministry of Defence. Command and control of ground combat operations is executed through two mechanized formations: the 2nd Mechanized Brigade, headquartered at Stara Zagora, and the 61st Mechanized Brigade, headquartered at Karlovo. These formations are supported by specialized unit structures, including the 101st Alpine Regiment in Smolyan, the 4th Artillery Regiment in Asenovgrad, the 55th Engineer Regiment in Belene, and the 110th Logistics Regiment in Plovdiv. Additional garrisons and battalion bases are located in Kazanlak, Yambol, Pleven, Vratsa, and Sliven, supported by primary training grounds at Novo Selo and Koren.

Ground forces equipment consists of Soviet-era platforms alongside modernized systems. Armored formations operate T-72 main battle tanks fitted with upgraded fire control, thermal optics, and digital communications equipment. Mechanized infantry units are equipped with BMP-1 infantry fighting vehicles, BTR-60 armored personnel carriers, and MT-LB tracked multi-purpose vehicles, alongside M1117 wheeled armored security vehicles. Anti-tank capability is provided by Spike guided missile systems, 9M111 Fagot, and 9M113 Konkurs. Artillery units operate 2S1 Gvozdika 122mm self-propelled howitzers, D-20 152mm towed howitzers, 2S12 120mm mortars, and BM-21 Grad 122mm multiple rocket launch systems. Mobile air defense capability is fielded through 9K33 Osa and 9K35 Strela-10 short-range surface-to-air missile platforms. Army aviation support is provided by the Bulgarian Air Force, which operates tactical transport and assault helicopters.

Ground force modernization centers on transitioning mechanized capabilities to NATO standards. The army is acquiring 8x8 Stryker armored combat vehicles across infantry carrier, command, reconnaissance, and medical evacuation variants. Initial deliveries of Stryker vehicles commenced in 2026, designated for equipping elements of the 61st Mechanized Brigade. Industrial cooperation arrangements include vehicle assembly, communications installation, and maintenance at the state-owned TEREM-Ivaylo plant in Veliko Tarnovo.

The primary operational mission of the Land Forces is national defense, alongside participation in NATO collective defense and international security missions. Bulgarian troops contribute to multinational contingents in the Kosovo Force and the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Bulgaria hosts a NATO Forward Land Forces multinational battlegroup based at the Novo Selo Training Area, which integrates Bulgarian units with allied personnel from Italy, the United States, Albania, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, and Turkiye.