Bulgaria has applied to join the "Drone Edge" initiative, putting up €80m for 20 anti-drone systems under the EU's SAFE mechanism. Defence minister Dimitar Stoyanov told a parliamentary hearing today.
Ten of the systems are mobile and the other 10 are fixed. A memorandum of understanding with Spain on buying them together is expected any moment.
Stoyanov said "Drone Edge" is a virtual market for the possible future development and joint purchase of anti-drone systems. "I have never said that Bulgaria will leave the 'Drone Edge' initiative," the minister said.
Bulgaria will also join a project to counter low-flying air threats. It will submit a request for membership and is expected to become part of the project by 30 October. The project runs for three years, and the mandatory annual fee is €220,000.
The hearing was called over attacks on commercial ships in the Black Sea on 6 and 13 October, close to Bulgaria's territorial waters. The strikes hit Bulgaria's exclusive economic zone. MPs are asking what is known, what action has been taken, how the risk to national security is assessed and what steps are coming. They also want to hear about the disclosed information on the deliberate burning of antennas used to connect to the Starlink satellite system.
Besides Stoyanov, prime minister Rumen Radev, interior minister Ivan Demerdzhiev, chief of defence Admiral Emil Eftimov and Venelin Venev, head of the Military Intelligence service, are giving evidence. Plamen Tonchev, chairman of the State Agency for National Security, and Antoan Gechev, chairman of the State Intelligence Agency, must also answer questions.
After the strikes, radar coverage was stepped up, and extra forces were deployed with more means to respond. Two unmanned aircraft systems will carry out surveillance in Bulgaria's territorial waters. Stoyanov said one has greater capability and can reach well further into the economic zone.
Bulgaria is seeking to add capabilities to its own to get a fuller picture, the minister explained. The country has also asked its allies for help.
The Panther helicopters have been in Romania since December 2025 because their engines have not been repaired. There is a framework agreement for the repair and a contract is ready, which Stoyanov expects to sign any moment so the machines can return. The previous government must explain why there is no contract, the minister said.
Stoyanov did not attend the meeting with Kyrylo Budanov, head of the Ukrainian president's office, who visited Bulgaria last week.