Bulgarian SWAT and Antiterrorist Units (new pics)

[Mitch Rapp]

Bulgarian Special Antiterrorist Unit - SOBT, a.k.a. the Red Berets, was created in 1980. Counts around 100 operators. Shared experience with Russian "Alpha", Cuban Special Forces, Polish and Hungarian CT units, French RAID, German GSG9 and Bavarian SEK, US SWAT, etc. Subbordinated to the Ministery of Interior, trains National Police SWAT team and some of the local tactical units.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091565251_sobt-1.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091565698_sobt-2.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091565950_sobt-3.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091566264_sobt-4.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091566681_sobt-5.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091566988_sobt-6.jpg

[Mitch Rapp]

More pics - SOBT in an antiterrorist dril in the Sofia Metropolitan

http://www.mvr.bg/show/pictures/0388_19.jpg
http://www.mvr.bg/show/pictures/0388_20.jpg

[Mitch Rapp]

http://www.mvr.bg/show/pictures/0388_18.jpg

[Sorbas2000]

Really nice pics...there is not so much known about Bulgarian COBT.

Generally, Bulgaria has following special units:

Ministry of Interieur:
- COBT anti-terror-unit (approx. 150 members)
- every of the 28 police directorates has a SWAT unit (12-18 members)
- Gendarmerie has a special anti-terror unit
- National Security Service NSS has a special unit

Military Forces:
- 1st Special Operations Batallion (68th Special Operations Brigade)
- 103rd Anti-Terror-Unit (68th Special Operations Brigade)
- 1st Paratrooper Recon Regiment
- "Black Sea Sharks" Naval combat divers unit
- Military Police special anti-terror unit


http://www.mvr.bg/show/pictures/0388_18.jpg

New Arsenal AR-M4SF assault rifle.
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/images/defense_police/5,56ar-m4sf.jpg


Additional COBT photos:

http://bgsoldier.eamci.bg/Scripts/isapiVWB.dll/docpic?PICID=22602

[Mitch Rapp]

Nice one, Sorbas, buth there are some corrections:

- SOBT has 150 members if you count the logistics and support services. I am not sure even if they are 100, maybe less.

- As far as I know, National Security Service does not have any uniformed units, it relies entirely on police and gendarmerie.

- There is a Commandf Regiment based in Sliven but it is to be disbanded soon.

- 68th Special Forces Brigade is to remain the only special unit in the Army whatsoever.

- The name of the diver unit is Naval Reconnaissance Unit.

Apart from the SOBT national CT unit there are:

- National Police SWAT team - called Reaction and Infiltration Group (GRP)

- National Anti-Crime Service team - called "Operational Realization Group"

- Sofia Capital Police SWAT team - known only as "Apprehension Group" - even I know very little about this team

- Gendarmerie Special Tactics Wing a.k.a. "Spetsnaz" :)

- most of the SWAT teams of the Regional Police Directorates exist only on paper but most of the larger cities have experienced tactical units called "Rapid Action Groups" or "Specialized Public Security Detachments"

[Fee Fi Fo Fum]

Cool pics! woot

[Sorbas2000]

Nice one, Sorbas, buth there are some corrections:

- SOBT has 150 members if you count the logistics and support services. I am not sure even if they are 100, maybe less.

COBT (former Red Baretts) were 400 members in communist time, now they have at all 200 members with approx. 150 action members.


- As far as I know, National Security Service does not have any uniformed units, it relies entirely on police and gendarmerie.

I didn't talked about uniformed units.


- There is a Commandf Regiment based in Sliven but it is to be disbanded soon.

Currently there is an Parachute Recon Regiment, which will be integrated into 68th SOBrig as an battalion. Within 68th there is already 1st Special Operations Batallion.


- 68th Special Forces Brigade is to remain the only special unit in the Army whatsoever.

...right you are, as an brigade with different specialized units.[/quote]


- The name of the diver unit is Naval Reconnaissance Unit.

The bulgarian name is Cherno Morski Akuli, Black Sea Sharks.

[/quote]Apart from the SOBT national CT unit there are:

- National Police SWAT team - called Reaction and Infiltration Group (GRP)[/quote]

28 teams


- National Anti-Crime Service team - called "Operational Realization Group"

- Sofia Capital Police SWAT team - known only as "Apprehension Group" - even I know very little about this team

- Gendarmerie Special Tactics Wing a.k.a. "Spetsnaz" :)


- most of the SWAT teams of the Regional Police Directorates exist only on paper but most of the larger cities have experienced tactical units called "Rapid Action Groups" or "Specialized Public Security Detachments"

I guess, most of the SWAT teams are in organizational and traing build up.


BTW, are u Bulgarian?

[Special Units]

Who can tell me the Bulgarian meaning of the abbreviations COBT and GRP ?

[Mitch Rapp]

Yes, I am Bulgarian. These pics are scanned from an album for the 20th aniversary of SOBT. The book says nothing about the numbers, but I guess maybe you could be right about 400 because at first they were anti-riot unit as well. And they were called SOMP - Specialized Motorized Detachment. They never belonged to the Interior Troops but they were engaged in VIP security of senior party members.
As for nowadays I doubt that they have 150 operators. The unit lives difficult time because the payment is low and trained commandos leave SOBT as soon as their contract is finished. Besides there were some "Red Berets" who were caught working for criminals. All this reflects on the morale and preparedness of the unit. But anyway there still commandos fanatics who are ready to perform any task and who train constantly. The thing is with the new SWAT teams created the Ministery puts emphasis on them and SOBT is getting slightly ignored. But still, they train National Police SWAT (GRP) and Sofia Police Aprehension Group in CT and CQB tactics. Some members of 68th Brigade also visited SOBT prior to the employment of Bulgarian Battallion in Iraq.

And yes, the name of the navy divers is Chernomorski Akuli but it is for the public. In the professional circles it is known as Morski Razuznavatelen Otriad (MRO). I am not sure whether it was Special - SMRO.

Yes, I am Bulgarian. I think it is obvious because there is no foreigner who knows more about our CT and SWAT teams.

- SOBT is abbreviation of Spetsializiran Otriad za Borba s Terorizma
(Специализиран отряд за борба с тероризма)
- GRP is short for Grupa za Reagirane i ****ikvane
(Група за реагиране и проникване)

Cheers

[Special Units]

Thanks a lot !

Do you have any pictures of GRP ?

[mack pl]

Does any sites about Bulgarian SF exists(maybe some photo galleries) :roll:

anyway, cool pics, and thx for info about yours SF :)

[Mitch Rapp]

Here there are some pics of GRP. They a hard to find and the quality is not very good.

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092076366_1.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092076888_3.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092077457_4.jpg

There was a site about Bulgarian SF and SWAT but I checked it and it is not active at the moment.

[goldman]

Mitch Rapp i hope u dont mind that ive posted this pics too.

http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop37.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop38.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop36.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/MBRtakedown.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop56.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop53.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop100.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Gym/3055/Ground_Forces/Gtroop102.jpg

[ISRAELI~FIGHTER]

What with several ISRAELI civilian SF pictures p-) take a look:

http://www.isayeret.com/multimedia/collage/civi-collage.jpg

"Gideonim" unit:
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/33/gideonim-2.jpg

unit "Matilan":
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan2.JPG

http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan-4.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan-5.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan-3.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan3.JPG
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan1.JPG
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan16.JPG
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/matilan/matilan15.JPG

unit "YAMAM":
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamam/yamam-101.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamam/yamam-22.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamam/Y1.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamam/yamam-abc-1.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamam/sf-abc-2.jpg
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamam/sf-abc-1.jpg

unit "Yamag"and "ROTEM":
http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamag/49.JPG

[Bulkowski]

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1091565950_sobt-3.jpg
Jeepers, what a silencer p-)

[scrybe]

ha, I was just going to comment on that. The silenced Aug looks pretty mean.

[Mitch Rapp]

Israelis are tough motherf...s p-) and I am not going to argue with that.

[ISRAELI~FIGHTER]

Just say Israelis are the best! that's all!! p-) p-)

ויצא איש הביניים ממחנות פלישתים... וכובע נחושת על ראשו ושריון קשקשים הוא לבוש ..."

ומצחת נחושת על רגליו...ונושא הצינה הול לפניו" (שמ"א יז 4-7)"

:roll:

"מפץ אתה לי כלי מלחמה ונפצתי בך גויים..." (ירמיהו נא 20)"


just a quatation from the bible says how strong we are..

rofl rofl rofl rofl

[Mitch Rapp]

SOBT and GRP use "Shipka" Submachine gun
http://www.arsenal-bg.com/images/defense_police/9x18smg.jpg

Shipka SMG in 9x18 Makarov.
Caliber: 9x18mm Makarov; 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: 2.0 - 2.2 kg withouth magazine
Lenght (stock closed/open): 338 / 625 mm
Barrel lenght: 150 mm
Rate of fire: 700 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds (25 rounds for 9x19mm)
Effective range: 150 meters

The "Shipka" SMG was developed by Bulgarian company ARSENAL for police and military use, and currently is offered for export. It appeared on the market circa 1996. According to some sources, it is used by Bulgarian police and security forces.

"Shipka" (named after historical place in Bulgaria) is a straightforward design, using simple blowback operation and firing from open bolt. The lower receiver along with pistol grip and triggerguard is made from polymer, the upper receiver is made from steel. Simple buttstock is made from steel wire and folds to the left side of gun.

[Special Units]

Thanks Mitch for the GRP pictures !

[Mitch Rapp]

Thanks Mitch for the GRP pictures !

You are welcome.
I think I know you. Or at least your site ;)

[Special Units]

I suppose it is my site you know, www.specialunits.be

I think you don't mind that I have put the pictures at my site ?

I have referred to this site, but if you like I can refer to you.

[Mitch Rapp]

I suppose it is my site you know, www.specialunits.be

I think you don't mind that I have put the pictures at my site ?

I have referred to this site, but if you like I can refer to you.

It's OK. Dont't worry ;)

[Zentrum Jagdkampf]

Jeepers, what a silencer p-)[/quote]

Coll stuff, it is made by Steyr.

[Mitch Rapp]

Jeepers, what a silencer p-)

Coll stuff, it is made by Steyr.[/quote]

They have a lot of gear form Steyr: AUG, submachine guns TMP, sniper rifles SSG

[Sorbas2000]

Jeepers, what a silencer p-)

Coll stuff, it is made by Steyr.

They have a lot of gear form Steyr: AUG, submachine guns TMP, sniper rifles SSG[/quote]

SOBT uses Steyr or FN sniper rifles and SIG/ Glock pistols as well as AR-M4SF assault rifles, Special Units of Gendarmerie use Steyr TMP and Shipka, Police is using Shipka and Makarov. Maybe some Arcus-98 are in service?

Sdrasti, ot koi grad lis si? Familiata mi e ot Ruse, no shiveat v Germania.

[Sorbas2000]

Just say Israelis are the best! that's all!! p-) p-)

ויצא איש הביניים ממחנות פלישתים... וכובע נחושת על ראשו ושריון קשקשים הוא לבוש ..."

ומצחת נחושת על רגליו...ונושא הצינה הול לפניו" (שמ"א יז 4-7)"

:roll:

"מפץ אתה לי כלי מלחמה ונפצתי בך גויים..." (ירמיהו נא 20)"


just a quatation from the bible says how strong we are..

rofl rofl rofl rofl

But why posting Israeli pictures in a bulgarian SF thread? :bash:

[Sorbas2000]

Just say Israelis are the best! that's all!! p-) p-)

ויצא איש הביניים ממחנות פלישתים... וכובע נחושת על ראשו ושריון קשקשים הוא לבוש ..."

ומצחת נחושת על רגליו...ונושא הצינה הול לפניו" (שמ"א יז 4-7)"

:roll:

"מפץ אתה לי כלי מלחמה ונפצתי בך גויים..." (ירמיהו נא 20)"


just a quatation from the bible says how strong we are..

rofl rofl rofl rofl

But why posting Israeli pictures in a bulgarian SF thread? :bash:


http://bgarmy.eamci.bg/Scripts/isapiVWB.dll/docpic?PICID=24881

[Mitch Rapp]

Jeepers, what a silencer p-)

Coll stuff, it is made by Steyr.

They have a lot of gear form Steyr: AUG, submachine guns TMP, sniper rifles SSG

SOBT uses Steyr or FN sniper rifles and SIG/ Glock pistols as well as AR-M4SF assault rifles, Special Units of Gendarmerie use Steyr TMP and Shipka, Police is using Shipka and Makarov. Maybe some Arcus-98 are in service?

Sdrasti, ot koi grad lis si? Familiata mi e ot Ruse, no shiveat v Germania.[/quote]

Az sum si v BG, v Sofia

[Mitch Rapp]

Jeepers, what a silencer p-)

Coll stuff, it is made by Steyr.

They have a lot of gear form Steyr: AUG, submachine guns TMP, sniper rifles SSG

SOBT uses Steyr or FN sniper rifles and SIG/ Glock pistols as well as AR-M4SF assault rifles, Special Units of Gendarmerie use Steyr TMP and Shipka, Police is using Shipka and Makarov. Maybe some Arcus-98 are in service?

Sdrasti, ot koi grad lis si? Familiata mi e ot Ruse, no shiveat v Germania.[/quote]

Az sum si v BG, v Sofia

[Special Units]

For our Israeli friend : you show us picture of Magav special unit and you call it "Yamag".

As far as I know, Magav's special units are called "Yamam" and "Yamas".

[ISRAELI~FIGHTER]

http://www.isayeret.com/units/civi/yamag/gallery3.htm

Look my amigo:)

[Special Units]

Thanks a lot for the excellent information.

I knew the site, but it seems some units were not on it when I have visited, which is already a long time ago.

[Mitch Rapp]

SOBT again

http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092343983_sobt1-1.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092344343_sobt1-2.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092344800_sobt1-3.jpg

[Mitch Rapp]

SOBT in action
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092498257_sobt2-1.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092498837_sobt2-2.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092499033_sobt2-3.jpg
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092499481_sobt2-4.jpg
SOBT members guarding Sreten Josic-Jotsha (wanted by Interpol international killer) - whith the hood on the head - while he is extradited to the Netherlands
http://www.onpoi.net/ah/pics/users/439_1092499789_sobt2-5.jpg
The same as above

[Mitch Rapp]

More to come

[Mitch Rapp]

*****

[Special Units]

http://home.tiscali.be/specialunits/images/Bulgarije/COBT.jpg

COBT patch

Mitch, do you think you can get this for my collection ?

And the breast patch with white letters COBT ??

[Mitch Rapp]

http://home.tiscali.be/specialunits/images/Bulgarije/COBT.jpg

COBT patch

Mitch, do you think you can get this for my collection ?

And the breast patch with white letters COBT ??

I'll ask some people from the unit. And where did you get this pic?

[Special Units]

Thanks a lot.

I got the pic from another collector.

[mack pl]

BUSOF(?) in Iraq...I am not sure if thats SF unit?

(copy and paste)

http://admin.mw.mil.pl/modules/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_lg=1167

[Mitch Rapp]

BUSOF(?) in Iraq...I am not sure if thats SF unit?

(copy and paste)

http://admin.mw.mil.pl/modules/foto.php?vhost=mndcs&id_lg=1167

Part of the Bulgarian contingent in Iraq consists of Special Forces Brigade soldiers (BUSOF - damn. what a ridiculous name :roll: ) and part is just mechanized infantry.

[mack pl]

Part of the Bulgarian contingent in Iraq consists of Special Forces Brigade soldiers (BUSOF - damn. what a ridiculous name :roll: ) and part is just mechanized infantry.


oki, thanks mate ;)

[GREEK71AIRBORNE]

Nice pictures Neighbours!!!
woot

But do you have some pictures from the Army and Navy Special Forces,
BUSOF and Tsernomorski Akuli ?

I have only found this.....
http://www.geocities.jp/utr1980/bulgarianirakuniform2/07.jpg
http://www.geocities.jp/utr1980/bulgarianirakuniform2/08.jpg
http://military.people.com.cn/mediafile/200503/27/F2005032718112200000.jpg
http://military.people.com.cn/mediafile/200503/26/F2005032608252600000.jpg

[v-twin]

Sweet stuff!
Nice to see you guys can do other things than pickle cucumbers! :D (jk)
Love, your neighbour from the North woot

[Sorbas2000]

here somme additional pic:

COBT:

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/7958/docpic28ob.jpg

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/7/docpic35re.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/9721/docpic44om.jpg

COBT will switch from Shipka SMG to more accurate H&K MP5. Standard equipment is/ will be 9x19 Glock-17, 9x19 HK MP5, 7.62x39 AR-M4SF assault rifles, Benelli shotguns and FN sniper rifles. Of cause additional weapons are also used depending situation and preferences (AK-47, Steyr AUG, SIG pistols).



Gendarmeria:

http://img128.imageshack.us/img128/4404/ctgendarmerie16hk.jpg

http://img48.imageshack.us/img48/8964/ctgendarmerie22cs.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6478/ctgendarmerie37cm.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/1286/pic13ld.jpg

http://img157.imageshack.us/img157/6403/pic23tm.jpg

http://img118.imageshack.us/img118/2082/pic34cd.jpg

http://img140.imageshack.us/img140/5854/pic52sq.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/138/pic64nb.jpg

http://img92.imageshack.us/img92/2712/pic79gq.jpg

http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/3061/pic87qc.jpg


Naval Reconnaissance Unit (Black Sea Sharks)

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2337/navysf13bu.jpg

[khukuri]

wow thats the first I see a pic of that rifle getting used. Pretty RARE!!!

[Sorbas2000]

wow thats the first I see a pic of that rifle getting used. Pretty RARE!!!

yeah, i think this pic is only for PR or show!

[kilroy1911]

yeah, i think this pic is only for PR or show!


well - that picture looks to be heavily photoshoped.... all the strange bright colors and some very sharp edges... strange...

[Mitch Rapp]

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2337/navysf13bu.jpg

I am not sure if this is a Bulgarian combat diver

[Pytheas]

Really nice pics guys!! :D

[mladina]

Any info on bulgarian combat divers? For more info on bulgarian 68th SF brigade go to this link - www.68sfbde.com

[Pytheas]

(a bit out of topic, but can't help it..) Are there any news on the future corvettes of the Bulgarian Navy? Any link, etc??

[Sorbas2000]

I am not sure if this is a Bulgarian combat diver

picture is from bulgarian aemy newsletter

[REMOV]

Any info on bulgarian combat divers? For more info on bulgarian 68th SF brigade go to this link - www.68sfbde.comInteresting, didn't know that Polish 9mm PM-63 submachine gun is used in Bulgaria.

[Mitch Rapp]

picture is from bulgarian aemy newsletter

Still the re-breather and the APS make me doubt about that

[SeaDog]

Still the re-breather and the APS make me doubt about that

You are absolutely right.This is a russian combat diver,may be "Sea Devil".
In Bulgaria we never have that type of rifle and rebreather.Information is from an ex-member of our combat divers.

And some photos from last NATO navy exercise in Bulgaria "Breez-2006",two days ago

Special thanks to Dimitar Koichev for all photos

Bulgarian Naval Reconnaissance Unit,fast roping from Mi-14
http://images08.snimka.bg/000898606-big.jpg

http://images08.snimka.bg/000898607-big.jpg

Special Police Unit
http://images08.snimka.bg/000898909-big.jpg

http://images08.snimka.bg/000898911-big.jpg

[Sorbas2000]

You are absolutely right.This is a russian combat diver,may be "Sea Devil".
In Bulgaria we never have that type of rifle and rebreather.Information is from an ex-member of our combat divers.

And some photos from last NATO navy exercise in Bulgaria "Breez-2006",two days ago

Special thanks to Dimitar Koichev for all photos

Bulgarian Naval Reconnaissance Unit,fast roping from Mi-14
http://images08.snimka.bg/000898606-big.jpg

http://images08.snimka.bg/000898607-big.jpg

Special Police Unit
http://images08.snimka.bg/000898909-big.jpg

http://images08.snimka.bg/000898911-big.jpg

thanks for the pics. do you have any additional ones?

[Mitch Rapp]

You are absolutely right.This is a russian combat diver,may be "Sea Devil".
In Bulgaria we never have that type of rifle and rebreather.Information is from an ex-member of our combat divers.

And some photos from last NATO navy exercise in Bulgaria "Breez-2006",two days ago

Special thanks to Dimitar Koichev for all photos

Bulgarian Naval Reconnaissance Unit,fast roping from Mi-14
http://images08.snimka.bg/000898606-big.jpg

http://images08.snimka.bg/000898607-big.jpg

Special Police Unit
http://images08.snimka.bg/000898909-big.jpg

http://images08.snimka.bg/000898911-big.jpg

Nice pics :) The last two are taken during a joint training of SOBT with the boarding team of Border Police. Two more here

[Demis]

Any photos of Gendarmeria vehicles please?