For a third consecutive year AmCham Bulgaria takes the lead to organize a Defense Business Mission to the United States. This trade mission of the Bulgarian Defense Industry in Washington, D.C. will happen from October 11 – 16, 2026, and will take fit within the framework of the largest annual defense exhibition in the USA – AUSA Annual Meeting and Exposition.

AmCham Bulgaria has the pleasure to cooperate on this initiative with the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria in the United States, and has the support of the U.S. Department of Commerce, and with the active participation and cooperation of the Ministry of Defense of Bulgaria.

AUSA is the most significant organization of current and former U.S. military personnel, the U.S. defense industry, and American government institutions related to the U.S. Army. AmCham Bulgaria is the national partner of the Republic of Bulgaria in this influential association, which has over 250,000 members and 122 regional chapters in the U.S. and worldwide. The October exhibition is the organization’s largest event, attended by 40,000 military representatives, arms manufacturers, and defense companies from the U.S. and over 100 countries, with 750 exhibition booths.

Draft Program for Bulgarian Participants

• Bilateral meetings with potential U.S. partners (individually arranged for each participant)
  • For Bulgarian system integrators: potential U.S. suppliers and future principals
  • For manufacturers and traders of arms and ammunition: U.S. brokers, traders, and buyers
• Assistance from U.S. Department of Commerce representatives during visits to the AUSA exhibition, including identifying potential partners and arranging meetings if needed
• Visit to the U.S. Congress and meeting with the leadership team of Congressman Joe Wilson, Chairman of the Congressional Bulgaria Caucus
• Visit to a federal institution – U.S. Department of State and/or Department of Commerce
• Daytime reception at the Bulgarian Embassy in the U.S., with guests from the Bulgarian professional community, diplomatic corps, U.S. government, Pentagon, and defense business
• Private dinner at a traditional American restaurant/steakhouse with:
  • Bulgaria’s Defense Attaché in the U.S.
  • Bulgaria’s Trade Representative in the U.S. (based in New York)
  • Members of the Bulgarian diplomatic service
• On-site visit to a production / research / and testing facilities of a defense company in the Washington area
• Group meeting with a procurement manager from a major defense contractor such as Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Sierra Nevada, or Raytheon
• Plenary sessions with leading U.S. defense strategy think tanks
• Guided visits to Washington landmarks, including: White House Visitor Center, Inside visit of the U.S. Congress,
• Cruise on the Potomac River with sightseeing of key landmarks and the Anacostia-Bolling Air Force Base, including lunch on board
• Evening reception at one of Washington’s most prestigious business clubs with U.S. defense companies and federal officials

Additional Benefits

• Custom contact database (bonus) for each participant, including up to 15 senior executives from selected U.S. companies (with emails, phone numbers, and full contact details)
• Welcome package upon arrival, including:
• Briefing on the U.S. defense industry and international policy
• Overview of leading companies
• Copy of Defense News magazine
• AUSA exhibition map and program
• Schedule of individual meetings
• City map and metro map
• Roundtable discussion on defense with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
• Exhibition registration, badge assistance, and a free subscription to the organization’s monthly publication

Objectives of the Delegation

• To demonstrate the industrial capacity of the Bulgarian defense sector to U.S. institutions and businesses
• To highlight the role of Bulgaria’s defense industry in strengthening NATO, U.S., and EU security
• To identify and meet potential new clients for your products
• To enable technology transfer and implementation of U.S. solutions

For Bulgarian system integrators and trade representatives, the focus will be on identifying U.S. manufacturers (mainly SMEs) interested in participating in the modernization of the Bulgarian armed forces and the region, and those seeking Bulgarian partners for representation, system integration, or offset cooperation.

Participation Details

If you express interest and confirm participation, we will coordinate with you regarding the types of companies you wish to meet and begin inviting suitable U.S. firms.

Please note:

• Availability of translators will be limited
• It is recommended to send English-speaking participants (translation support can be arranged at additional cost)

Participation Fee

• USD 8,000 for the first participant
• USD 4,000 for each additional participant

The fee includes:

• Full program organization
• Identification of partners and arranged meetings
• Conference facilities
• Events, receptions, transportation within the program
• Site visits, cruise, city tours, and official dinners

Not included:

• Accommodation
• Flights
• Airport transfers

Contact

Please confirm your participation to Nadezhda Vakareeva, nadia@amcham.bg and Tatyana Vladimirova, tatyana@amcham.bg

AmCham AUSA Mission Brochure can be viewed through the following link.