The Bulgarian Army is going to present for the first its newest armored carrier M1117 during the coming military parade for its holiday, St.George's Day, May 6.

Bulgaria has purchased seven M1117s by the American firm Textron Marine & Land for a total of BGN 14 M but six of these have delivered directly to the Bulgarian unit in Kabul, Afghanistan, and only one has been brought directly to Bulgaria.

Fighters and combat helicopters of the Bulgarian Air Force started Tuesday their drills in the sky above Sofia in preparation for the parade. The drills will be taking place every day at 10-11 a.m. and 2-3 p.m.

A total of 15 fighters and helicopters will take part in the May 6 air show, including a MiG 29 fighter, Pilatus Planes and Su-25 planes, Mi-17, Mi-24, and Cougar helicopters.

Forty-five armored vehicles will also participate at the parade on the Alexander the First Square in downtown Sofia including T-72 tanks, and BMP-1 and BMP-23 armored carriers.

St.George's Day (Gergyovden in Bulgarian) was celebrated as the Day of the Bulgarian Army between 1880 and 1953. It was restored as such in 1993. For the first time armored vehicles and planes took part in the annual parade in 2001.

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