Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye are set to bolster their security operations in the Black Sea under NATO’s Mine Countermeasures Group, focusing on the protection of critical underwater infrastructure. This expansion was announced by Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov on October 20, with plans to begin once ratified by the Turkish Parliament.
The proposed mission involves identifying and safeguarding essential underwater structures such as gas and oil pipelines, internet and fibre-optic cables, and electricity networks, which are deemed vital to national and regional security. This development comes as the countries continue to address ongoing regional security challenges.
Rear Admiral Mihailov highlighted that since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war, the Bulgarian Navy has been actively involved in securing the nation’s maritime territories. Bulgarian forces have successfully destroyed six floating mines and identified over 100 drones, of which 35 posed a significant threat and were neutralized.
In addition to domestic efforts, Bulgarian armed forces are also engaged in joint operations to maintain vigilant surveillance of territorial waters, collaborating with neighboring Black Sea countries and international allies. A US maritime patrol aircraft has recently joined these monitoring activities, underscoring the international dimension of these security efforts.
The expanded mission is designed to enhance maritime security, safeguard essential underwater infrastructure, and foster improved coordination among NATO members in the Black Sea region. This initiative reflects the ongoing commitment to address the heightened security concerns in the area.