Bulgaria Secures Seven Minehunter Vessels from Belgium and the Netherlands for Black Sea Defense

Bulgaria has moved forward with a procurement that will bring seven mine-hunter ships into its navy, sourced from Belgium and the Netherlands. Parliament approved a sale for three vessels from the Netherlands, which will be refurbished to meet NATO operational standards before transfer, while a separate agreement adds four ships from Belgium and the Netherlands. Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov highlighted that the new fleet will complement existing assets and enhance the country’s role in the NATO de-mining task force that also includes Romania and Turkey.

The task force, established in 2024, aims to clear mines threatening shipping lanes and critical infrastructure in the Black Sea following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Bulgaria will fund the repair work and the deal includes crew training, spare parts and additional equipment. The move underscores NATO’s broader effort to secure maritime routes in a region shared with Georgia, Russia and Ukraine.