Key facts
- Bulgaria requested NATO deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone systems.
- The request follows drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea.
- A commercial vessel sank off Bulgaria's coast on Tuesday after a drone attack.
- Bulgaria expects to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by the end of October.
Bulgaria has formally requested NATO deploy combat aircraft and anti-drone systems to bolster its defenses following recent drone attacks on commercial shipping in the Black Sea. Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said on Friday that the country had sent letters to the NATO Secretary General and the Supreme Allied Commander urging them to strengthen Bulgaria's capabilities. The attacks, which have highlighted the growing threat of drone warfare linked to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have impacted commercial shipping near NATO's southeastern flank. Two ships caught fire off Romania's coast this week, and a commercial vessel sank off Bulgaria's coast on Tuesday after a drone attack. Stoyanov plans to meet with his Romanian and Turkish counterparts to discuss coordinating action and a common approach to the situation in the Black Sea. Bulgaria also expects to join a NATO anti-drone initiative by the end of October.