Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye are set to enhance their security operations in the Black Sea as part of the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group. This initiative, announced by Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov on October 20, will expand current activities to include the protection of critical underwater infrastructure in addition to the ongoing tasks of detecting and neutralizing sea mines and drones.
The plan involves the three nations identifying and safeguarding underwater infrastructure deemed essential to national and regional security, such as gas and oil pipelines, internet and fiber-optic cables, and electricity connections. The implementation of these expanded operations will commence following the ratification by the Turkish Parliament.
Rear Admiral Mihailov highlighted that since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Bulgarian Navy has been actively engaged in protecting the maritime areas of the country. Bulgarian forces have successfully destroyed six floating mines and discovered over 100 drones and their debris. Out of these, 35 posed significant threats and were neutralized.
In addition to these efforts, Bulgarian armed forces are working in collaboration with neighboring Black Sea countries and international partners to maintain constant surveillance of the territorial waters. This includes the involvement of a US maritime patrol aircraft in the monitoring operations.
The expanded mission aims to bolster maritime security, safeguard vital underwater infrastructure, and enhance coordination among NATO members in the Black Sea region amid persistent regional security challenges.