Bulgaria Moves to Acquire 32 MBDA VL MICA Missiles for New Navy Patrol Ships

Bulgaria has approved plans to acquire 32 VL MICA surface-to-air missiles for its new multipurpose patrol vessels under a joint European procurement arrangement led by France. The acquisition is intended to strengthen the Bulgarian Navy's air defense capabilities in the Black Sea.

The Bulgarian government announced on October 28 that it had authorized the defense minister to negotiate and sign an agreement allowing the country to join an existing framework between France and Denmark for the joint procurement of VL MICA missile systems.

The project covers 32 missiles and associated services and is included in Bulgaria's national investment plan under the European Union's Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defense financing instrument.

The financial value and delivery schedule have not yet been disclosed. Bulgaria's National Assembly must first approve the investment expenditure, after which an individual procurement order can be signed under the framework agreement.

VL MICA Missiles for Bulgaria's New Patrol Vessels

The missiles are intended for Bulgaria's two new multipurpose modular patrol vessels, Hrabri and Smeli, built at the MTG Dolphin shipyard in Varna under a program led by German shipbuilder NVL Group.

The vessels are based on the OPV 90 design and measure approximately 90 meters in length, with a displacement of around 2,300 tonnes. Their equipment includes anti-ship missiles, naval artillery, torpedoes, surveillance sensors and vertical-launch air defense systems.

Hrabri entered service with the Bulgarian Navy in December 2025. Construction and outfitting of the second vessel, Smeli, are nearing completion, with further acceptance activities scheduled for early 2027.

The VL MICA family, developed by European missile manufacturer MBDA, provides short-range air defense against aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and other airborne threats.

The system uses vertically launched missiles equipped with either active radar or infrared seekers, enabling ships to engage targets approaching from multiple directions. Its integration into naval combat management systems allows engagement using information from onboard surveillance radars.

The planned Bulgarian acquisition is intended to provide the missile inventory needed to support the vessels' air defense capabilities. Officials have not disclosed the distribution of the 32 missiles between the ships, the missile variants to be supplied or the number of rounds intended as reserves.

Bulgaria Also Joins European Counter-Drone Initiative

In a separate decision announced on October 28, the Bulgarian government approved participation in an international initiative focused on developing and deploying air defense capabilities against low-flying aerial threats, including unmanned aircraft.

The cooperation framework was established by Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Romania, Sweden and Turkey. Bulgaria's participation remains subject to subsequent ratification.

The initiative is intended to facilitate cooperation in developing and introducing technologies capable of detecting and countering increasingly complex low-altitude threats.

The decision follows recent multinational counter-drone trials hosted by Bulgaria. As AdriaDefense reported, NATO-led exercise BOLD ADRA 26 brought together 20 defense companies and military units from 15 countries to evaluate drone detection, electronic warfare and counter-UAS technologies.

European Procurement and Black Sea Security

The planned missile acquisition represents another step in Bulgaria's naval modernization program as the country works to strengthen maritime security and its contribution to NATO operations in the Black Sea.

Joint procurement through the French-Danish framework could allow Bulgaria to coordinate acquisition requirements with European partners while drawing on financing available under the EU's SAFE instrument.

For MBDA and the wider European defense industry, the project represents a prospective naval missile order, although the final contract value, delivery schedule and procurement conditions remain subject to approval and negotiation.

The addition of VL MICA missiles would provide Bulgaria's new patrol ships with an important element of their planned air defense capability as the navy gradually brings the vessels and their weapons systems into operational service.