Bulgaria has called on NATO allies to bolster defense capabilities in the Black Sea region in response to increasing attacks on commercial vessels, according to Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov. In a statement on October 16, Stoyanov highlighted the urgent need for enhanced regional security and modernization of Bulgaria’s armed forces amid rising tensions in the area.
The request for support includes aviation assistance, air-defense missile systems, anti-drone technology, and maritime patrol aircraft. Bulgaria has formally reached out to the NATO Secretary-General and Allied Command, though no specific decisions regarding the type and scale of assistance have been announced yet.
Stoyanov underscored the importance of improving security measures not only for Bulgaria but also for other NATO members such as Romania and the Baltic states, which he indicated also require additional defense capabilities. The appeal for support follows incidents where four merchant ships were attacked within Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea, and two others were struck in Romanian territorial waters.
The recent attacks have heightened concerns about the safety of commercial shipping routes and the overall security situation in the region. While Bulgarian authorities have not officially identified those responsible for the assaults, they emphasized the need for further evidence before attributing responsibility.
As the government continues to assess these incidents, it seeks stronger cooperation with NATO allies to ensure the protection of maritime infrastructure and shipping routes. The increasing frequency of such attacks has amplified the urgency for enhanced defense measures in the Black Sea region.