- Category
- World
Bulgaria Asks NATO for Aircraft, Air Defenses and Counter-Drone Systems as Black Sea Attacks Intensify
Prefer U24 Media on Google
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Bulgaria has requested additional aircraft, air defense systems, counter-drone equipment, and air patrols from NATO as attacks on vessels in the Black Sea intensify, Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said, according to Novinite on October 16.
Speaking to journalists, Stoyanov warned that the security situation in the Black Sea was deteriorating, with attacks becoming increasingly frequent. He pointed to recent strikes in Romanian territorial waters as evidence of the growing threats facing countries in the region.
We bring you stories from the ground. Your support keeps our team in the field.
“We have requested aviation, surface-to-air missile systems, counter-drone systems, and air patrols—essentially, the entire spectrum of available assets,” Stoyanov said, adding that the deployment of additional allied resources would also help demonstrate a stronger NATO presence in the region.
However, the minister acknowledged that it remained unclear which capabilities Bulgaria would ultimately receive. He noted that Romania and the Baltic states were facing similar security challenges, while European partners were paying increasing attention to threats in the Black Sea.
“I hope for a swift response and a strengthening of our capabilities,” Stoyanov said.
-dc4bf38b1698efdb39b065b4dc09c5e9.jpg)
To improve regional coordination, Bulgaria is also seeking closer cooperation with neighboring NATO members. According to the minister, a meeting involving the defense ministers of Bulgaria, Türkiye, and Romania, alongside the chiefs of defense of all three countries, is expected to take place soon.
The discussions are intended to support the development of a coordinated response to emerging threats and strengthen cooperation among the three Black Sea NATO members.
Despite the requested assistance, Stoyanov cautioned that deploying additional allied forces and equipment would not eliminate all security risks in the region.
“100% security is impossible,” the defense minister said, emphasizing that the objective was to minimize potential threats rather than guarantee complete protection.
Meanwhile, Bulgaria continues to rely on its existing military resources to monitor its maritime territory and respond to potential threats.
According to Stoyanov, the country currently operates two reconnaissance systems dedicated to maritime surveillance, with a third expected to become operational by the end of the year.
The minister said the additional system would introduce technology that had not previously been deployed elsewhere.
The calls for additional security measures follow a series of drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea, including an incident near Bulgaria’s coast on October 13.
Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev reported that two commercial vessels had been struck by drones overnight, leaving one ship sunk and forcing the evacuation of the entire crew of another after three drones hit its deck and hull.
One of the vessels was the Chelsea 3, a Ukrainian-owned cargo ship sailing under the Maltese flag, which came under attack approximately 18 nautical miles east of the Bulgarian coastal town of Byala.
Discuss this article:
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
