Key facts
- Bulgaria will acquire seven minehunter ships from Belgium and the Netherlands.
- The ships will be used to clear naval mines and secure shipping routes in the Black Sea.
- The acquisition is part of a joint NATO task force with Romania and Turkey.
- Three ships will be sourced from the Netherlands, and four from Belgium.
- Bulgaria will fund the restoration and repair of the vessels to NATO standards.
Bulgaria has approved the purchase of seven minehunter ships from Belgium and the Netherlands, a move aimed at enhancing its capabilities to clear naval mines and secure shipping routes in the Black Sea. The acquisition comes as the NATO alliance seeks to bolster its defenses in the region.
This initiative is part of a broader effort by Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey, all of whom share Black Sea coastlines, to expand a joint task force dedicated to de-mining operations. This task force was established in 2024 to counter the threat of floating mines following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Under the agreement, Bulgaria will receive three ships from the Netherlands equipped for mine-seeking and destruction, with the Netherlands committed to restoring their technical capabilities. An additional four vessels will be transferred through a separate agreement involving Belgium. Bulgaria will bear the costs for the repair and restoration work necessary to bring all seven ships to NATO operational readiness standards.
Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov emphasized the necessity of these mine hunters, stating they would significantly enhance the country's capabilities. He highlighted the excellent coordination within the mine countermeasures group involving Bulgaria, Turkey, and Romania.