Bulgaria is EU’s Eastern border and NATO’s Black Sea flank. Its 130-year-old legacy industry constitutes the largest arms and ordnance exports from a single EU-member state, being the largest high and medium calibre producer in the free world, with nearly 1.5 million artillery rounds a year of production output. The country’s ammunition and energetics (primers, propellants, nitrocellulose, and nitro-glycerine) output are both formidable, one of the largest in NATO. Over a third of Ukraine’s war effort has been supported by Bulgarian medium and high calibre ammo. Bulgaria is one of few NATO members with imminent capacity to ramp up ammunitions production to all NATO allies and provide security to current and future Middle East security concerns, especially from production, stock depletion and supply chain point of view.
A USD 1 bn project for joint production of 155m shells and gunpowder/ propellants with German defense giant Rheinmetall has been in the making. The country’s military itself is modernizing with a procurement plan exceeding 10 USD billion within the decade, half already appropriated in procuring an F-16 squadron, 3D radars, 200 armored vehicles and two locally built frigate-class battle corvettes. Bulgaria is the largest GDLS Stryker non-US buyer.
Its national defense contractors, systems integrators, and manufacturers, most of which our (US Chamber) members, are looking to acquire US equipment and products for the national military and law enforcement, boost American critical components and artillery ordnance supply chain resilience, as well as invest in locally produced Made-In-USA vessels, ordnance, military grade arms and propellants.
AmCham Bulgaria III-rd Defense Mission to the U.S.
For a third consecutive year, AmCham Bulgaria organizes its Defense Business Mission to the United States, with the AUSA Annual Exhibition and Conference 2026 in Washington D.C. as a corner-stone in its agenda. We are teaming up with partners such as the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Embassy to Bulgaria and the Commercial Service, the Embassy of Bulgaria to the USA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Atlantic Council, the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International, the World Trade Center in Baltimore, MD.
In 2026, we are bringing the executives of sixteen leading companies from Bulgaria with a simple goal – create new business opportunities.
This is AmCham Bulgaria’s contribution to development the U.S.-Europe defense market and services, while having EU as the the largest overseas market of the American defense industry.
Companies in the Mission
Metal Technology Group
A vast critical components defense conglomerate (machining, tooling, casting, moulding, painting and assembly in defense and dual use industries, artillery ammunition, armoured vehicles, and naval shipbuilding), offers allied (non-Chinese) component support and supply chain.
Proprietary technologies and solutions in ammunition casting. Need US representation and counsel in integrating into DoW and US Primes procurement. Possible investment intentions in joint manufacturing.
Raisen Technology
Adaptive autonomous defense systems, autonomous drone swarms – single operator developers, AI defense software for UAV, CUAS, military hardware applications in all domains,
including space, with access to EU NATO government contracts, seeking to integrate US defense hardware platforms. Also raising capital and open for strategic partnerships. Integrated into largest short range radar mass producer in Europe, HADES. Seek to represent tangentially related mutually complementary integratable US solutions, jointly resell and systems integrate US defense companies for the EU and third markets.
Dunarit AD / EMCO
Both companies are one of Europe’s three
largest high caliber artillery ammunition manufacturers, with a large range of manufacturing capabilities including rockets; developing a gunpowder, propellants and energetics plant; launching 155mm shells production and LAP
ing. Represented in numerous markets worldwide, also seeking US defense advanced manufacturing technologies and partnerships to integrate into its portfolio. Open for co-manufacturing, great conduit for ramped up mass production of your products to gain access to EU financing.
DGKV
A major conduit to European defense procurement and bidding access and contract acquisition. The leading counsel for defense industries in the region, representing US companies to the Government, securing and preparing bids, monitoring tenders, setting up EU compliance, for European Union
funded programs like SAFE, EDF, EDIP and NATO’s DIANA. Forms consortia and structures localisation for US
firms.
Technologica
A leading Bulgarian systems integrator of defense electronics, software, cybersecurity and AI solutions, seeking to channel partner for US vendors and technology companies, representing them to the Bulgarian and European MoDs and militaries. Tech channel partner for access to European defense procurement and funding resources like SAFE, EDF, NATO DIANA and others.
TBS
The largest energetics (gunpowder, TNT, RDX) trader in Central Europe, contractual supply from
Egypt and offices in Kayro and Alexandria. HQed in Bulgaria And the UAE, with strong presence in the Middle East. Drone / anti-drone, avian deterrent technologies, defense communications vendor to Bulgarian and European militaries. Seeking to represent US companies and technology transfer. Contract manufacturer and engineering
outsourcing capabilities.
Kambourov Law
European Defense Law practice monitoring EU and NATO defense defense procurement on behalf of US companies; grant consortia formation, proposal writing, European defense compliance, permits, licenses, G2B, G2G contracting, procurement advice; FMS advisory and procurement and acquisition due diligence services US to Europe.
AVE BULGARIA LOGISTICS LTD
One of a limited number of companies
with licenses for arms, defence and military equipment transportation and supply chain operations in Europe and the Middle East; partners to armoured vehicles transportation for the local and other militaries. Crucial for US transportation and supply chain contractors bidding for NATO, DoW (TRANSCOM, US Army, SOCOM, DLA) services in Europe and the Middle East.
Arsenal
NATO’s largest fully vertically integrated arms, energetics and ammunitions producers, world leader in NATO non-standard arms and ammunition. Investment intentions in the 1 US, seeks to also represent US companies to third markets, support them in scaling mass production and supply energetics, gunpowder, and propellants to selected partners. Also a technology transfer partner with a VC arm.
KONTRAX
A leading Central and Eastern European systems integrator and representative of US defense products and solutions to European MoDs and militaries. Closed largest General Dynamics Land Systems Stryker deal in history overseas! Seek to represent, resell and systems integrate US defense companies for the EU and third markets. Preferred channel partner for access to European defense procurement and funding resources like SAFE, EDF, NATO DIANA and others. Seeking US defense tech companies to resell, service, provide maintenance and represent overseas.
VMZ
VMZ is the Government ammunitions and arms company, owned and managed by the Ministry of
the Economy – second largest ammunitions producer in Europe; seeking to develop public private partnership projects in 155mm ammunition production and gunpowder / energetics plant with a company from a NATO allied country. An avenue through industrial cooperation for EU rearmament procurement and budgets. Also valuable source of critical components and traditional global supplier of non-standard ammunition.
DMG Global
Defense contractor startup founded by senior executives at major ordnance and arms manufacturers. Seek to represent, resell and systems integrate US defense companies for the EU and third markets. Access to accelerated procurement for current warzone demand. Access to priority procurement of artillery ordnance and ammo. Demand for primers and energetics (propellant, TNT, gunpowder, nitroglycerine).
MTG Dolphin
MTG Dolphin is one of the leading shipbuilders in Europe, only NATO naval yard in the Black Sea, seeking to invest in a shipyard development in the United States and integrate US maritime weapons systems into their European and future US-built vessels.
OPTIX
OPTIX is one of the largest defense optics developers in Europe, with seven decades tradition; great solution but also joint market access partner through joint integration to American surveillance, armoured vehicle and UAV / CUAS developers if they seek access to the European market or investment in their US manufacturing to scale their supply to the US DoD
Arexim
Arexim the largest polymer ammunition manufacturer in Central Europe, seeking to expand in the US through co-manufacturing with a US ammunitions producer; also offer market entry to US ammunition vendors, both small caliber and artillery sizes, up to 155mm, to the European and third / global markets, by co-investment in polymer ammunition production in Europe against contracts with European and Middle Eastern MoDs, to which Arexim has access.
Erglon of particular value to US UAV, C UAS and autonomous systems developers; fully made in NATO / EU critical components with fast delivery, quick ramped up production and very short lead times; imminent capacity alternative / competitor to Flyr / Teledyne and NVIDIA to support low cost US drone production. The company is of value to US autonomous developers, camera makers and UAV / CUAS systems because by integrating its components US vendors can enter the EU market through their access to procurement channels there. The company has a US footprint and seeks to establish manufacturing in the US with partners as well, which is another layer of value making it worth your while.
Global SAT
GLOBAL SAT is a leading supplier of cutting-edge integrated border surveillance solutions, specializing in the design, implementation, upgrade, and maintenance of advanced systems for border protection and law enforcement agencies. With a proven track record of successfully completed projects, our company is a trusted partner for border police, defense institutions, and governments around the world. We combine expertise in surveillance technologies with modern automation tools to offer the most reliable, efficient, and scalable solutions.
Dronamics
Dronamics is a European deep‑tech aerospace company (founded in 2014) that designs, builds, and operates long‑range cargo drones, most notably its flagship Black Swan aircraft capable of carrying up to 350 kg over 2,500 km.
Artemis
Artemis Capital Partners is a Luxembourg-based private equity fund that invests in European defense and dual-use technologies. It backs non-kinetic technologies such as secure satellite communications, C4ISR, electronic warfare, counter-drone systems, AI, and cyber. Artemis can be a strong partner for defense companies outside the EU that want proper access to EU defense budgets and operators.
The (AmCham) Team Behind the Mission
Ivan Mihaylov
CEO
AmCham Bulgaria
Daniel Kiryakov
Communications and Public Affairs Manager
AmCham Bulgaria
Nadezhda Vakareeva
Project and Events Manager
AmCham Bulgaria
AmCham Bulgaria U.S. Office
Ivo Konstantinov, former Trade Atache to the Bulgarian Embassy to the U.S.A., heads AmCham Bulgaria’s office since the spring of 2022, when the Chamber established the Office, based in Washington, D.C. It serves Bulgarian companies that have plans to start operations or export to the United States, and vice versa – American and Canadian businesses that aim to relocate or expand in Europe, particularly in Bulgaria
Contact Details
Email: ivo@amcham.bg
Defense Industry Role for US-European Defense Ramp up –
Bulgaria’s Critical Role in European Rearmament and the Potential and Capabilities of Bulgaria to Deliver and Resell EU, NATO and US Ammunition, Arms, Technology Solutions and Security
Bulgaria’s massive and little-known defense industry, in the context of the military industrialization of Europe, is there to meet the regional security challenges and strengthen the supply-chains of NATO militaries and allies worldwide. The Bulgarian defense industry plays a structurally decisive role for the Ukrainian war effort and currently occupies strategic position and industrial capability to provide security to the Middle East through fast deliveries of kinetics and components.
Those unsung heroes of low profile and available production and engineering capacity may be the key to the critical reinforcement of NATO’s increasingly strained arms modernization supply chains.
With its century old tradition, Bulgaria played a leading role in the past in defense production, particularly ordnance, firearms and electronic warfare, ranking among the world’s largest producers of artillery ammunitions and mid-caliber arms. The country hosts the largest electronic jamming and warfare producer worldwide. The country’s five largest artillery ammunition producers turn out over 750,000 mid and large caliber artillery rounds a year – among the largest capacity in the free world and largest in NATO.
Industrial cooperation with US defense stakeholders is also critical for strengthening the defense capabilities of Bulgaria and the eastern flank of NATO. The conditions are there to attempt to drive US-EU-NATO and Bulgarian cooperation beyond machining and tooling, to involve government and academia to facilitate technology transfer and acquisition in both ways. Military tech transfer’s immense geopolitical impact and its positive catalytic effect on the industry’s competitiveness are supported by various EU and NATO defense innovation facilities, to which US partners can tap into through their Bulgarian counterparts.
Priorities and Future Modernization of the Bulgarian Military –
Acquisition Plans, Industrial Cooperation Approach and Critical Needs of the Bulgarian Armed Forces
The Bulgarian armed forces are too undergoing a once-in-a-generation arms modernization program in all branches of the country’s military. The strategic choices of new arms and equipment so far and the priorities for the ongoing and forthcoming acquisition process are bringing serious security and geopolitical implications. What follows next in the strategically located Black Sea NATO member state after its adoption of LMCO F-16s, GD Strykers and Lürssen corvettes are capabilities upgrades in its air defense, maritime, anti-submarine warfare and detection, cybersecurity, and ISR.
Strategic Implications of Bulgaria and the Black Sea Flang of NATO for Global and Regional Stability
In its recent and most recent history, Moscow has viewed the Black Sea as a strategic corridor for access to the warm seas and has fought several wars with the ultimate goal of establishing control over the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles and projecting influence in the Eastern mediterranean and the Middle East, Control of the Black Sea would give Russia another vector of influence – towards the Western Balkans, and from there, towards Central Europe, thus providing yet another way to achieve its strategic goal of creating divisions in Europe. Bulgaria is one of just three countries holding the line in an increasingly precarious security environment in a region often overlooked in its strategic significance.
The American Chamber of Commerce is bringing the leading companies from its members and industry stakeholders to the AUSA October 12th to 15th who will be available to meet US partners, suppliers and potential investment projects in the US and globally for consideration.
