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VarnaNaval Warfare

Research vessel Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii sets sail on fifth mission to Antarctica

Sv. Sv. Kiril i Metodii will supply the Bulgarian base on Livingston Island and support scientific work. The departure is reported in an article on Armymedia.bg credited to the Ministry of Defence Information Centre. DarikNews.bg republishes a BTA report citing the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy on the forthcoming departure on 4 November 2026, while Euronews Bulgaria gives the expedition’s previously announced start date in an interview with its leader, Hristo Pimpirev; these two sources do not verify that the vessel has actually departed.

4 November 2026 at 11:582 min readSource: Verified media

Black SeaOSINT

Three allied surveillance aircraft reportedly tracked simultaneously over the Black Sea

According to media reports, Italian, British and US aircraft flew simultaneously over the Black Sea on 3 November. The British aircraft was east of the Bulgarian coast. The reports originate from a single source and do not confirm a joint NATO operation.

4 November 2026 at 02:082 min readSource: OSINTUnverified

Developing story

BulgariaDrones

Bulgaria in talks with Spain for 20 counter-drone systems

The defence minister hopes a memorandum with Spain will be signed within one to two weeks. The SAFE project envisages 10 mobile and 10 fixed systems, but no signed contract or delivery schedule has yet been announced.

3 November 2026 at 16:312 min readSource: Official source

Developing story

Black SeaMilitary Aviation

NATO plans additional patrol aircraft, radars and unmanned systems for the Black Sea

According to a Reuters report republished by gCaptain, the alliance has announced that it will deploy maritime patrol aircraft, radars and unmanned systems following a series of strikes on cargo ships off Bulgaria and Romania. Bulgarian authorities already confirm that information is being exchanged with allied patrol aircraft, but the scope and timing of the new deployment remain unclear.

3 November 2026 at 15:183 min readSource: Official source

Developing story

Veliko TarnovoDefence

First Strykers accepted in Veliko Tarnovo, five already in Karlovo

The defence minister welcomed the first assembled Stryker combat vehicles at a ceremony at the Terem plant in Veliko Tarnovo. Five of the first eight are already with the 1st Mechanized Brigade in Karlovo; the contract covers 183 vehicles.

3 November 2026 at 11:03Updated: 12:252 min readSource: Verified media

BulgariaDefence

Another 35 Bulgarian companies to receive over €46 million for defence production

According to 24 Chasa, citing the executive agency responsible for European funding for businesses, the support is intended to modernise production of defence and dual-use goods. The funding is for industrial investment, not for supplying weapons to the armed forces.

2 November 2026 at 21:482 min readSource: Verified media

Developing story

Budapest, HungaryMilitary Aviation

Hungarian Gripen escorts London–Sofia flight to Budapest after bomb threat

Hungary’s defence minister said a Wizz Air flight had been diverted and escorted by a fighter jet. The outcome of the police inspection and whether the journey to Sofia continued remain unclear.

2 November 2026 at 15:392 min readSource: Verified media

Black SeaMilitary Aviation

US P-8A reportedly flew over Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone

OFFNews and Mediapool report a surveillance flight off the Bulgarian coast on 31 October. There is no independent confirmation, and the aircraft’s specific task remains unknown.

1 November 2026 at 10:272 min readSource: Verified mediaProbable

Black Sea off RomaniaOSINT

Italian E.550 CAEW reportedly tracked over Black Sea off Romania

According to the publication, an airborne early warning and control aircraft was tracked off the Romanian coast. There is no independent confirmation, and electronic interference marked on a map does not prove that the aircraft was affected.

31 October 2026 at 14:142 min readSource: OSINTUnverified

Developing story

BurgasNaval Warfare

Bulgarian autonomous maritime platform unveiled in Burgas

According to Euronews Bulgaria and Novinite, a locally developed platform for maritime surveillance and protection has been shown at an international forum. Controlled trials in Burgas Bay are planned over the next two weeks, Novinite reports.

31 October 2026 at 12:592 min readSource: Verified mediaProbable

Developing story

Mirosławiec, PolandMilitary Aviation

Poland decides to provide two MiG-29s to Ukraine

Warsaw has decided to provide the two aircraft, but their transfer has not yet been confirmed. Poland’s defence minister has spoken of an exchange for drones and Bulgarian interest in some of the remaining MiG-29s.

31 October 2026 at 01:443 min readSource: Official source

Developing story

Zeebrugge, BelgiumNaval Warfare

Bulgaria takes over mine countermeasures vessel Briz from Belgium

The former Belgian vessel Bellis is the first to be accepted under the agreement for seven mine countermeasures vessels. Following preparations, it is to relocate to Burgas, but no date has yet been announced for its operational readiness.

31 October 2026 at 01:352 min readSource: Official source

Developing story

Cape KaliakraMilitary Aviation

Radev: Bulgarian L-39s were ready to engage drones off Kaliakra

The prime minister and the Chief of Defence said the military had advance information about the threat to CONTSHIP JET. The origin of the maritime drones remains unknown, and readiness to act does not mean an interception took place.

31 October 2026 at 01:353 min readSource: Official source

Developing story

BulgariaDefence

Bulgaria signs note to join NATO initiative against low-flying air threats

The initiative provides for joint procurement and development to defend against drones, cruise missiles and glide bombs at altitudes below 150 metres. The signing creates a framework for future capabilities but does not mean the purchase of specific systems.

30 October 2026 at 15:522 min readSource: Official source

KaliakraAnalysis

Strike off Kaliakra tests maritime surveillance and allied coordination

The attack on CONTSHIP JET exposed the difference between surveillance, rescue and preventing a strike. In Flank’s assessment, the central question is whether the announced regional coordination will translate into effective warning and protection, without substituting political assumptions for the unknown perpetrator.

30 October 2026 at 11:346 min readSource: Official source

Black SeaNaval Warfare

Greece condemns attack on Contship Jet off Bulgaria

Athens expressed solidarity with Bulgaria and called for accountability. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the strike off Cape Kaliakra and the rescue of all 18 crew; the ship sank overnight into 29 October.

30 October 2026 at 01:062 min readSource: Official source

Black SeaGeopolitics

Yotova proposes moratorium on Black Sea hostilities, Gyurov calls for defence capabilities

In the BNT debate, Yotova called for a meeting of Black Sea states, including Russia and Ukraine. Gyurov countered that hoping for a moratorium was not a defence strategy and called for protection against unmanned aircraft.

30 October 2026 at 01:002 min readSource: Verified media

Developing story

ShablaNaval Warfare

Ministry of Defence: Khoriv remains a shipping hazard as weather halts Navy operation

The ship is half-submerged and the corvette Reshitelni is in the area, bTV reports, citing information from the Ministry of Defence. A separate report that the stern has come to rest on the seabed off Shabla as a result of Navy action remains independently unconfirmed.

30 October 2026 at 00:372 min readSource: Verified mediaProbable

PazardzhikRussia–Ukraine War

Yotova pledges to block deployment of Bulgarian troops to Ukraine if elected president

At a campaign meeting in Pazardzhik, Iliana Yotova also called for immediate talks on Ukraine and a moratorium on military action in the Black Sea. This is a campaign position, not a state decision on the use of the armed forces.

29 October 2026 at 08:121 min readSource: Verified media

Developing story

SofiaDefence

Cabinet proposes Admiral Emil Eftimov’s release from service from 2 January 2027

The proposal to release the Chief of Defence from his post and from military service follows his written request. A presidential decree is required to complete the procedure.

29 October 2026 at 01:332 min readSource: Verified media

Developing story

Plana, BulgariaMilitary Infrastructure

Government announces arrests in Germany over Starlink antennas near Plana

Bulgarian authorities are awaiting the suspects’ surrender following the issue of a European Arrest Warrant. There is no independent confirmation of the arrests so far, while the damage and impact on communications services remain unclear.

28 October 2026 at 14:192 min readSource: Official source

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