VMZ-Sopot , Bulgaria ’s state-owned arms manufacturer, is set to partner with Rheinmetall , the largest defense company in Europe, for the joint production of NATO-standard 155 mm artillery shells on Bulgarian territory. The details are outlined in a recent government assignment, as reported by Bulgarian National Radio. The plan involves forming a consortium in which Bulgaria will contribute €960 million. The funding for this participation is expected to come from the European Union’s SAFE