Bulgaria to acquire seven minehunters for Black Sea
Bulgaria has approved the acquisition of seven minehunter ships from Belgium and the Netherlands as NATO members seek to strengthen maritime security and protect shipping routes and critical infrastructure in the Black Sea, local media reported on Thursday.
According to Reuters, the move comes after Bulgaria, Romania and Turkiye agreed at a NATO summit in July to expand their joint Black Sea mine-clearing task force to include missions protecting critical infrastructure.
The three NATO members established the de-mining task force in 2024 in response to the threat posed by drifting naval mines following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Three ships from Netherlands
Under a sale agreement with the Netherlands approved by Bulgaria's parliament on Wednesday, Bulgaria will receive three vessels equipped to detect and destroy mines and mine-like objects.
A separate transfer agreement involving Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria covers four additional vessels.
The Netherlands has agreed to restore and upgrade the technical capabilities of three ships before transferring ownership. Bulgaria will cover the repair and restoration costs required to bring all seven vessels to NATO operational readiness standards.
“These mine hunters are particularly necessary,” Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said before lawmakers approved the agreement. “We have three of the same type, and with these seven we will complement and further enhance our capabilities.”
Training and equipment included
The acquisition package includes crew training, spare parts and additional equipment under a memorandum of understanding between the countries.
Stoyanov said Bulgaria was working closely with Turkiye and Romania through the regional mine-countermeasures group.
The three countries' joint efforts are aimed at clearing maritime areas of mines and improving the security of Black Sea shipping and critical infrastructure.
