Bulgaria Approves Naval Strike Missile Purchase as Black Sea Tensions Persist

Bulgaria has formally approved the procurement of Naval Strike Missiles, advancing a long-planned effort to modernize its naval strike capabilities amid heightened military activity in the Black Sea region. The decision authorizes the government to move forward with a foreign military sale linked to Bulgaria’s ongoing naval recapitalization program.

According to government officials, the missiles will be integrated onto the Bulgarian Navy’s new multipurpose patrol vessels currently under construction. The acquisition is designed to provide a credible surface-to-surface strike capability, replacing legacy systems and aligning Bulgaria more closely with NATO-standard maritime weapons.

The Naval Strike Missile, produced by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, is already in service with several NATO members and partner navies. Bulgarian authorities have indicated that interoperability and common logistics were key factors in the selection, particularly given the alliance’s increased focus on the Black Sea’s maritime domain.

The approval comes as Bulgaria and other regional states reassess naval force structures following sustained Russian naval presence and missile deployments in the area. While Sofia has avoided framing the purchase in overtly political terms, officials have linked the decision to the need for deterrence and the protection of national and allied sea lines of communication.

From an industrial and procurement perspective, the move represents another incremental step by a Southeast European NATO member toward high-end maritime strike capabilities. Although the scale of the purchase is limited, it reflects a broader trend of smaller navies prioritizing precision weapons over fleet size to offset regional imbalances.

Delivery timelines and contract value were not disclosed, and the final agreement remains subject to standard contractual and export approval procedures.