Bulgaria asks NATO for drones, PVO and patrol aircraft

Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov has asked NATO leadership to strengthen military capabilities on and near Bulgarian territory, requesting a missile system, counter‑UAS equipment and a patrol aircraft, he said on Friday in Sofia.

Stoyanov urges greater allied presence in the Black Sea region

Speaking at a ceremony for the Bulgarian air forces, Stoyanov said he had raised the requests directly with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexis Grinkevich. "We used the full spectrum — a missile system, a counter‑unmanned aerial system and a patrol aircraft," he told reporters.

He also asked NATO to demonstrate military power on Bulgarian soil and in the country’s territorial waters, arguing that visible allied presence would be needed amid rising activity in the Black Sea. Stoyanov warned that allied capacities are limited because Romania and the Baltic states are also seeking additional assets.

Stoyanov called for a joint approach among Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey to tackle security challenges in the Black Sea and said he expects to meet soon with the defence ministers and chiefs of general staff from Turkey and Romania. He added that Bulgaria has political backing from the Baltic states.

On regional threats, he said the intensity of attacks in the Black Sea "is increasing every day," alluding to an incident in Romanian territorial waters. He noted that both Russia and Ukraine possess modern technology but will continue to strike with drones and ballistic missiles.

Stoyanov also commented on the grounded ship Chelzi 3, saying it is anchored about 10 kilometres east of Lozenets and that a new towing operation is expected to begin. A previous attempt was postponed on Thursday because of weather; the ferry is expected to be towed to Burgas today, he said.

Photo: press material from the event