BULGARIA
The Bulgarian Army is described as less technically advanced than the army that invaded Thrace in 1912 (surely an exaggeration). However they do not seem to be motivated too much beyond preserving their own hold on power and keeping the loot for themselves.
Bulgarian tanks are mainly T-55 although they had T-72s and T-34/85’s. Other vehicles include BRDM-2’s, BRDM-1’s, MT-LB’s, and BTR-60/50’s. Artillery is a mix of towed 122mm howitzers (must have some 152mm somewhere), 100mm and 76,2mm Anti-tank guns, and BM-21 MRL’s, There is also SO-122 SP mortars, 120mm towed mortars, AT-3 Anti-Tank Missiles, RPG-7’s and ZU-23-4 and 37mm AAG’s and SA-6 SAM’s. They also have Mi-24, Mi-8, Mi-4, and Mi-2 helicopters. Some may still be kept airworthy as they have access to oil.
1st Army
1st Guards Motor Rifle Training Division
This division was badly damaged during the invasion of Romania. It was withdrawn to Sofia in 1997 for rest and refit where it has remained ever since.
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Manpower: 800
28th Motor Rifle Division
This unit’s was badly damaged during the surprise Turkish Christmas attack. It was sent to Sofia area for refit and is currently in cantonment in the city of Belogradcik.
Location: Belogradcik, Bulgaria
Manpower: 1,000
Tanks: 2 (2x T-55)
9th Tank Brigade
This unit was one of the spearhead in the attack on Romania. It was mauled but stayed active until recalled to Bulgaria in 1998. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Rila.
Location: Rila, Bulgaria
Manpower: 600
Tanks: 3 (3x T-55)
2nd Army
2nd Motor Rifle Division
This unit’s war record is unknown but may have been retained in Bulgaria for home defence duties. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Stara Zagora.
Location: Stara Zagora, Bulgaria
Manpower: 2,000
17th Motor Rifle Division
This unit was disbanded in the early 1990’s and hastily reformed in 1997 and sent to Romania. It fought with distinction in Romania and was withdrawn to Bulgaria in 1999 to assume internal security duties.
Location: Khaskovo, Bulgaria
Manpower: 1,200
19th Motor Rifle Training Division
This unit had a similar functionn to the 18th division and was strictly a training unit for the 1st and 2nd Armies. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Pazardzik.
Location: Pazardzik, Bulgaria
Manpower: 1,800
5th Tank Brigade
This unit was disbanded in the early 1990’s and was reformed using cadres from other Bulgarian tank brigades and reinforces with a battalion of motorized infantry from the 7th MRD, and sent to China to assist Bulgaria’s Soviet allies. In early 2000 the commander pulled the division from the Chinese Front and began marching back to Europe along the Siberian railroad. It is currently as far west as Cheremkovo in Siberia, near Lake Baikal.
Location: Cheremkovo, Siberia
Manpower: 300
11th Tank Brigade
This unit’s war record is unknown. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Karlova.
Location: Karlova, Bulgaria
Manpower: 500
Tank: 1 (1x T-55)
2nd Army Reconnaissance Battalion
This unit’s war record is unknown. It is currently in cantonment in Sofia serving as an escort for the Bulgarian High Command.
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria
Manpower: 100
Tanks: 4 (4x BRDM-2)
3rd Army
3rd Motor Rifle Division
This unit’s war record is unknown but may have been retained in Bulgaria for home defence duties. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Burgas.
Location: Burgas. Bulgaria
Manpower: 1,500
Boats: 39
7th Motor Rifle Division
This unit’s war record is unknown. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Yambol and functions as a second line of defense in case of a Turkish attack..
Location: Yambol, Bulgaria
Manpower: 1,200
18th Motor Rifle Training Division
This unit was little more than a training unit during the war with its trainees shipped out to other units. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Shumen watching the Romanian border.
Location: Shumen, Bulgaria
Manpower: 1,400
13th Tank Brigade
This unit’s war record is unknown. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Sliven.
Location: Sliven, Bulgaria
Manpower: 300
Tanks: 4 (4x T-55)
24th Tank Brigade
This unit’s war record is unknown. It is currently in cantonment in the city of Aytos and is known to be extorting from the local population and travelers through the area.
Location: Aytos, Bulgaria
Manpower: 400
Tanks: 4 (4x T-55)
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