Bulgaria asks NATO for aircraft, missiles and counter-drone systems for Black Sea

Bulgaria has formally asked NATO to reinforce its military capabilities, Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said Friday. Speaking to reporters after a ceremony marking Air Force Day in Sofia, he said letters and a request had been sent to Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Bulgaria is seeking aircraft, missile systems, counter-drone systems and maritime patrol aircraft. Stoyanov said it has not yet been confirmed what reinforcements Bulgaria will receive or how.

The request follows a series of drone attacks on merchant ships in the Black Sea. Stoyanov said the intensity of the strikes is growing every day, citing hits in Romanian territorial waters. NATO's attention, until recently focused on the Baltic states, has turned to the Black Sea over the past week, he said. He expects to meet soon with the defense ministers of Turkey and Romania. Asked who was behind the attacks, he said the army is not an investigative body.

The cargo ship Chelsea 3, hit near Byala on Monday, is anchored about 10 kilometers (6 miles) east of Lozenets, Stoyanov said. A first attempt to tow it to Burgas was called off because of rough seas, BNT reported; bad weather leaves it unclear when a new attempt will be possible. On Wednesday, Stoyanov said Bulgaria plans to join NATO's counter-drone initiative by Oct. 30.