US to send heavy weapons for participation in military drills in Bulgaria

US land forces will deploy next week to Bulgaria 33 heavy weapons and some 200 servicemen to participate in a joint drill with the Balkan country, officials said Friday.

The transportation of the troops and the weapons, including 10 tanks, 20 infantry fighting vehicles and three 155mm artillery systems, will begin in the "coming days" and they are expected to arrive in Bulgaria from next Thursday to Saturday, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

Together with up to one Bulgarian battalion, the US forces will participate in the drill, which will be held in three stages from Oct. 20 to Dec. 15 at Novo Selo Training Area, one of the four joint US-Bulgarian military bases in the Balkan country.

Part of the US equipment involved in the exercises will remain there to be used in joint trainings which will kick-off in early 2016, the ministry said.

"The aim of all pre-planned exercises with the participation of military personnel and equipment from the Bulgarian and allied armed forces, is to keep the Bulgarian army in good combat readiness and achieve higher compatibility with NATO allies and partners," the statement said.

At the end of June, the US Secretary of Defense Ash Carter said his country would temporarily stage one armored brigade combat team's vehicles and associated equipment in countries in Central and Eastern Europe, with elements of this equipment be moved around the region for training and exercises.

Bulgaria, a NATO member since 2004, has previously signed a defense cooperation agreement with the United States in 2006. According to the agreement, the United States may deploy defense equipment to Bulgaria with advance notification about the types, quantities and delivery schedules.
 Xinhua - globaltimes.cn
9/10/15