20
Army
A NPLA T-72M tank during exercises. Additional armour can be
seen in the distance.
The Army is primarily a light infantry force. It numbers 210,000 troops spread among 58 units of varying sizes. Nearly half of these troops are under the Western Operational Command, which only has 16 units, however. The 1st Guards Tank Division, the 68th Airborne Battalion and the 99th Youth Shock Division are considered the most battle-hardened and capable Army units. The 99th is particularly known for the zeal and brutality of its troops, drafted from all but the most loyal communes. The 1st is one of the few divisions that have commissioned officers and operates on permanent combat alert.
The Army is unique in having an autonomous sub-command, the Air Defence Command (ADC). All air defence assets are operated by Army units. However, under the Three-Dimensional Combat Doctrine, the autonomous ADC is responsible for "temporal planning". This means that in an emergency situation where only air combat is anticipated and nationwide AA coverage is needed immediately, the ADC has the authority to detach air assets from Army units and form new, temporary anti-air battalions corresponding to the intensity of the conflict. This is done to provide an additional degree of flexibility that would otherwise lack if each Army unit, with its own brigade and division-level SAMs and AAA, would have to coordinate with numerous ground units in facing a predominantly aerial threat. Conversely, if a conflict requires mostly ground troops but some air combat is expected, AA assets stay under Army control to protect those ground units that enter combat and operations with some degree of airborne risk. The territorial and technological planning of air defence, respectively logistics and maintenance or upgrades of the equipment, remain firmly in the Army.
Before the Fatherland War, heavy equipment was scarce or in disrepair. The standard issue armament of an Army soldier consisted of a "Pobeda" rifle with three magazines, two hand grenades, a rudimentary steel helmet, and a combat knife. At least 20% of the soldiers wore caps due to the insufficient capacity of the industry to produce helmets. Night vision devices, flak vests and ballistic helmets are still difficult to encounter, even if reserved for elite units. Other weapons used by Army troops include "Slana" and PK machine guns, SVD/"Bizon" and OVT-96 sniper rifles, "KPT-16" machine pistols, "August 16" and "PKT-75" rifles, RPG-7 and RPG-22 rocket-propelled grenades, 60-mm mortars and a variety of handguns, all used on a random principle and usually when standard issue weapons are not available.
Even though a brigade-sized tank unit operated in the NPLA, not all of its tanks were operational. The fleet was comprised entirely of some 100 T-72M tanks, maintained through cannibalisation of older vehicles. Mechanised units operated a mixture of some 450 BTR-60 "Pirin", BMP-1 and BMP-23 armoured vehicles, as well as improvised armoured jeeps and technicals. A handful of T-55s were in use. There were two known operational SS-21 surface-to-surface missile launchers with six spare missiles.
After the outbreak of the war and the subsequent mobilisation call, the NPLA received top economic priority and new weapons systems began pouring in. Bulgarian industry expanded and began producing a variety of armoured vehicles like "Rila" APCs, "Hala" multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS), and "Imeon" Main Battle Tanks. Weapons were more evenly distributed and tactical and strategic organisation improved significantly. The military is still lacking on individual protection and firepower, and scarce communications and reconnaissance equipment significantly reduces battlefield capabilities.
Type | Models | In service | Notes |
Tanks | Imeon MBT | 1,355 | "Imeon" is the NPLA's main battle tank (MBT). A heavily-upgraded T-55, |
Armour | BMP-23 IFV | 206 | Armoured vehicles in the NPLA are unevenly distributed. Almost all BMP-2M infantry |
Artillery | 203 mm SP | 9 | The NPLA is noted for its reliance on heavy artillery for both area denial |
Rocket artillery | Hala MLRS | 38 | Multiple rocket launch systems (MLRS) form the backbone of NPLA |
Anti-tank | Fagot ATGM | >6,000 | Most NPLA units are equipped with anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM). |
Air defence systems | Shilka SPAAG | 70 | Unlike many other militaries, air defence is the responsibility of the Army. |
