BulgariaProcurement
Government approves signing of agreement with France on 155 mm ammunition
The joint purchase is part of the CAESAR self-propelled howitzer project under the European SAFE instrument. Quantities, price and delivery schedules will be set out in separate contracts.
On 11 November 2026, the government authorised the Bulgarian and French ministries of defence to sign a framework agreement for the joint purchase of 155 mm ammunition for self-propelled howitzers. The Minister of Defence has been authorised to conduct negotiations and sign the document, the government press office said, as reported by BTA and BurgasMedia.
This is a developing story and further information may be added.
Ammunition follows the CAESAR agreement
The forthcoming agreement is the next step in the Bulgarian Armed Forces' artillery support project. It provides for the joint acquisition of CAESAR 155 mm self-propelled howitzers and ammunition for them, with France as the lead nation. The two countries signed a framework agreement for the howitzers in 2025.
The project is included in the National Plan under SAFE, the Security Action for Europe instrument. This is an EU instrument offering loans on favourable terms for joint purchases of defence equipment and ammunition.
In Flank's assessment, negotiating the ammunition separately is an important part of supporting the future artillery capability. Acquiring howitzers alone does not indicate the scale of training and operational use the armed forces will be able to sustain. This requires ammunition quantities and a coordinated delivery schedule.
Approval does not mean an order or delivery
The decision of 11 November provides a mandate to negotiate and sign a framework agreement. It is not a supply contract and does not mean that ammunition has already been ordered or received.
Individual orders can only be placed once parliament has approved an investment expenditure proposal. The specific financial terms and implementation schedules will then be set out in separate contracts, the government statement says.
The ammunition quantities, purchase value and delivery schedule have not yet been announced. These details will allow an assessment of how far the supplies meet the needs of the future howitzers. Further information on the project may be added as negotiations and the parliamentary process progress.
Why This Matters for Bulgaria
For Bulgaria, ammunition supply is part of supporting the future artillery capability provided by CAESAR. Quantities and the delivery schedule are needed to assess the scale of training and operational use the armed forces will be able to sustain.
Sources
1 independent report1 secondary report
Independent reporting
Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) · bta.bg
Bulgaria, France to Sign Agreement for Procurement of 155 mm Ammunition under SAFE ProgrammeNews agency
Secondary reporting
BurgasMedia · burgasmedia.com
Правителството одобри споразумение с Франция за общо купуване на боеприпаси за гаубициOther
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