Bulgaria, Romania, and Türkiye are set to enhance their maritime security operations in the Black Sea through an expanded role under the NATO Mine Countermeasures Group. This initiative, announced by Bulgarian Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov on October 20, will focus on safeguarding critical underwater infrastructure in addition to the existing tasks of detecting and neutralizing sea mines and drones.
The plan for these expanded operations is pending ratification by the Turkish Parliament. Once approved, the collaboration will involve the identification and protection of essential underwater assets deemed vital for national and regional security. This includes infrastructure such as gas and oil pipelines, internet and fiber-optic cables, and electricity connections traversing the Black Sea.
Mihailov emphasized the continued efforts by the Bulgarian Navy to secure the country’s maritime areas, a mission that has been ongoing since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Bulgarian forces have successfully neutralized six floating mines, and more than 100 drones and their remains have been discovered in the region since 2026, with 35 identified as actual threats and subsequently destroyed.
Joint operations are being conducted by Bulgarian armed forces to maintain constant surveillance over the country’s territorial waters. The navy is at the forefront of these initiatives, working in collaboration with neighboring Black Sea nations and international allies. U.S. maritime patrol aircraft have also been integrated into the monitoring activities, further strengthening the security framework.
The overarching goal of this expanded mission is to fortify maritime security, ensure the protection of vital underwater infrastructure, and enhance coordination among NATO members in the Black Sea. These efforts come amid ongoing regional security challenges, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in maintaining stability in the area.