Bulgaria has approved the acquisition of seven minehunter ships from Belgium and the Netherlands, a move intended to strengthen NATO's capacity for clearing naval mines and securing shipping routes in the Black Sea. The decision was reported by local media on Thursday.
As part of a broader NATO strategy, Bulgaria, along with Romania and Turkey, agreed in July to expand their joint task force. This expanded force will not only focus on clearing floating mines but also on protecting critical infrastructure within the Black Sea.
The three NATO member states share the Black Sea with Georgia, Russia, and Ukraine. They established a de-mining task force in 2024 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, in response to the threat posed by floating mines.
Under the terms of the sale agreement with the Netherlands, approved by the Bulgarian parliament, Bulgaria will receive three ships equipped for seeking and destroying mines and mine-like objects. A separate transfer agreement involving Belgium, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria covers an additional four vessels.
The Netherlands will be responsible for restoring the technical capabilities and increasing the operational capacity of the three ships before their transfer. Bulgaria will bear the costs for repair and restoration work required to bring all seven vessels to NATO operational readiness standards.
Bulgarian Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov emphasized the necessity of these acquisitions, stating that the seven new minehunters would complement and significantly enhance their existing capabilities, which currently include three similar vessels. He highlighted the effective coordination within the mine countermeasures group established with Turkey and Romania for clearing maritime areas.
A memorandum of understanding related to the acquisition also encompasses crucial aspects such as crew training, spare parts, and additional equipment for the minehunter ships.