At the request of Bulgaria, the United States will provide 10 Textron Guardian armored vehicles to the Bulgarian military contingent in Afghanistan, officials said Wednesday.

The donation, that includes nine Guardian troop-carrying vehicles and an ambulance at a total cost of 25.6 million US dollars, will be delivered to the troops in Afghanistan in the second half of 2014, the Bulgarian Defense Ministry and the US Embassy in Sofia said in a joint press release.

"Bulgaria currently has seven Guardian vehicles, purchased in 2009 -- six in Afghanistan and one in the 61st Stryamska Mechanized Brigade in Karlovo used for the purpose of Bulgarian military contingents' training," the press release said.

Bulgarian experts will be responsible for the service and maintenance of the donated equipment without the need for additional financial resources from the Ministry of Defense budget, the statement added.

After a decision by its council of ministers on Nov. 20, 2013, Bulgaria has participated in NATO's "Resolute Support" mission for training, advising and supporting Afghan security forces with about 110 troops.

According to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) website, Bulgaria currently has a 387-member contingent in Afghanistan.