Bulgaria has requested support from NATO allies to bolster its defense capabilities in the Black Sea region in response to increasing attacks on commercial vessels, according to Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov. On October 16, Stoyanov emphasized the urgency of improving regional security and modernizing Bulgaria’s armed forces, citing recent incidents involving attacks on merchant ships.
The request, directed to the NATO Secretary-General and Allied Command, seeks assistance in the form of aviation support, air-defense missile systems, anti-drone technology, and maritime patrol aircraft. While the request has been formally made, a decision on the type and extent of support from NATO has not been disclosed.
Stoyanov highlighted the recent escalation of attacks in the Black Sea, which includes four merchant ships being hit within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone and two more in Romanian territorial waters. These incidents have raised significant concerns about the safety of commercial shipping routes in the region and the broader security implications.
In addition to Bulgaria, other NATO members, such as Romania and the Baltic states, also require enhanced defense capabilities, according to Stoyanov. He stressed the importance of reinforcing cooperation with NATO allies to safeguard maritime infrastructure and shipping lanes.
While Bulgarian authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the attacks, they continue to investigate the incidents to gather more evidence before making any attributions. As the situation develops, Bulgaria remains focused on strengthening its defense posture in collaboration with NATO partners.