Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye are set to enhance their security operations in the Black Sea through expanded activities under the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group. This initiative aims to include the protection of critical underwater infrastructure as part of their existing security measures. The Bulgarian Navy Commander, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov, announced on October 20 that the expanded mission will encompass monitoring underwater infrastructure, in addition to the detection and neutralization of sea mines and drones.
The implementation of this strategy hinges on the ratification by the Turkish Parliament. Once in effect, the three nations will pinpoint the underwater infrastructure deemed critical to their national and regional security. This infrastructure may include essential components such as gas and oil pipelines, internet and fibre-optic cables, and electricity connections across the Black Sea.
Rear Admiral Mihailov highlighted that since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bulgarian Navy has been actively involved in safeguarding the country’s maritime zones. Bulgarian forces have successfully neutralized six floating mines and identified over 100 drones or their remnants, with 35 of these posing a significant threat that warranted their destruction.
The Bulgarian armed forces engage in continuous surveillance operations in collaboration with neighboring Black Sea countries and international partners, with the navy taking a leading role. A US maritime patrol aircraft has also been involved in these monitoring activities. The overarching goal of the expanded operations is to bolster maritime security, safeguard vital underwater infrastructure, and improve coordination among NATO members in the Black Sea region amid ongoing security concerns.