Bulgaria to get 7 minehunters to clear Black Sea of deadly mines
Photo: Bulgaria to receive seven mine-sweeping vessels from Belgium and the Netherlands (Getty Images)
Bulgaria has approved the purchase of seven mine-hunting and neutralisation vessels from Belgium and the Netherlands, a move set to bolster NATO's capability to clear shipping lanes of sea mines in the Black Sea, reports Reuters.
Why Bulgaria needs the new vessels
Together with Romania and Turkey, Bulgaria agreed as early as July at the NATO summit to expand the joint operational task force for clearing floating mines from the Black Sea, adding the protection of critical infrastructure to its remit.
These three NATO countries, which have Black Sea coastlines alongside Georgia, Russia and Ukraine, established a demining group in 2024 in response to the threat of floating mines following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
How the vessels will be allocated
Under the agreement with the Netherlands, approved by the Bulgarian parliament on Wednesday, Bulgaria will receive three vessels equipped for mine-hunting and disposal of similar objects. A separate transfer arrangement between Belgium, the Netherlands and Bulgaria covers four additional ships.
The Netherlands have committed to restoring the technical capabilities and enhancing the operational readiness of the three vessels prior to transferring ownership, while Bulgaria will cover the repair and refurbishment costs for all seven ships to bring them up to NATO combat-readiness standards.
What Bulgaria's defence minister says
"These mine hunters are particularly necessary. We have three of the same type, and with these seven we will complement and further enhance our capabilities," Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said ahead of the parliamentary approval.
According to him, Bulgaria is part of a counter-mine group alongside Türkiye and Romania, and the clearance operations in the maritime zones of the three countries are proceeding in excellent coordination.
What else the agreement covers
The memorandum of understanding on the vessel purchase also covers crew training, the supply of spare parts, and additional equipment.
RBC-Ukraine has previously reported on the expansion of the Black Sea demining operation. Last summer, the three NATO countries announced their intention to bolster their presence at sea – Romania's defence minister at the time unveiled plans to expand the joint operational group of Romania, Bulgaria and Türkiye for demining.
Earlier, Ukraine also invited Bulgaria to join the initiative, whose primary aim is to ensure unimpeded navigation in the region. In the first days of the operation, six mines were already destroyed.
