Bulgaria develops new system to detect and engage low-altitude drones
The Bulgarian defence ministry is creating a dedicated information-sharing and decision-making system to protect airspace below 3,000 metres from drone threats.
Bulgaria’s defence ministry announced plans for a unique command-and-control platform aimed at safeguarding the airspace under 3,000 metres, the altitude most used by hostile drones. Dimităr Stoianov explained that the system will streamline information flow and enable pilots to decide independently whether to engage a drone, thanks to upcoming legal changes that remove the need for a ministerial order. While the Air Forces continue to monitor higher altitudes, the low-level sector remains vulnerable due to detection challenges and the resource-intensive nature of counter-measures.
The reforms echo similar drone-defence laws already in force in Poland, Romania and other countries. Stoianov stressed that modernising the military is an ongoing process, urging the government to allocate sufficient funds to fulfil promised upgrades.
Why it matters
Improving low-altitude drone defence strengthens Bulgaria’s air security and aligns it with regional defence standards.
In this story
