Bulgaria is participating in NATO’s Drone Edge initiative and has committed EUR 80 million to it through the European Union’s SAFE mechanism for a project to acquire 20 systems – 10 mobile and 10 stationary, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said during a parliamentary hearing on Wednesday.

“I have never said that Bulgaria will withdraw from the Drone Edge initiative. We expect to sign a memorandum of understanding with Spain for the joint acquisition of these systems at any moment. This initiative is a virtual marketplace for the potential future development and joint procurement of counter-drone systems,” the Defence Minister explained.

Stoyanov said that Bulgaria will also join another project aimed at developing capabilities to counter low-altitude aerial threats. The project requires a mandatory annual contribution of EUR 220,000 and will run for three years. Bulgaria will prepare an application to join the initiative. The country is expected to become part of the project by October 30, the Defence Minister added.

The Defence Minister also outlined the measures taken by the state following the attacks on merchant ships in Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. “Radar surveillance has been strengthened, and the presence of kinetic response capabilities has been increased through the additional deployment of forces, as well as two unmanned aerial vehicle systems that we will use for reconnaissance in our territorial waters. One has greater capabilities and can reach much further into our exclusive economic zone,” Stoyanov explained.

Bulgaria has requested assistance from its allies. “We are seeking to acquire additional capabilities to complement our own, so that we can have a more complete picture,” the Minister added.