NATO allies expand Black Sea mission to protect critical underwater infrastructure

Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey have agreed to broaden the mandate of their joint Black Sea naval task force, adding surveillance and reconnaissance missions aimed at protecting critical underwater infrastructure.

The three allies signed an amendment to their memorandum of understanding during the NATO summit in Ankara on Wednesday, marking the first major expansion of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group (MCM Black Sea TG) since its creation in 2024.

The move reflects mounting concerns over the vulnerability of energy links, telecommunications cables and other critical infrastructure beneath the Black Sea, which has become a frontline theatre for maritime security since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

“The protection of critical underwater infrastructure is among the most important challenges facing maritime security today,” Bulgarian Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said after the signing ceremony alongside his Romanian and Turkish counterparts, Radu Miruță and Yaşar Güler. “The expansion of the Mine Countermeasures Naval Group’s tasks is a timely response to the changing security environment and will contribute to the more effective protection of strategically important energy and communication links in the Black Sea,” he added.

Since its establishment in 2024, the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group (MCM Black Sea TG) has neutralised more than 150 drifting sea mines along key commercial routes in the region.

Turkey has carried out the majority of the mine-disposal operations, reflecting its leading role in the trilateral naval initiative.

The task force, created by Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey as the first joint Black Sea security format of the three NATO allies, has become a key instrument for maintaining freedom of navigation and strengthening maritime security in the region.

From mine clearance to infrastructure protection

The trilateral initiative was originally established by Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey in January 2024 as the first Black Sea security format created exclusively by the three NATO allies bordering the western Black Sea.

Its initial mandate focused on ensuring freedom of navigation through mine-hunting operations, maritime surveillance, search-and-rescue activities and the neutralisation of threats to commercial shipping.

According to the Romanian Defence Ministry, the task force has completed ten operational deployments since becoming operational on 1 July 2024. The mission’s command rotates every six months among the three participating countries.

Since its creation, the force has neutralised more than 150 drifting sea mines along key commercial routes in the Black Sea, with Turkey carrying out the majority of disposal operations, according to Reuters.

Romanian officials described the task force as “a testament to the interoperability of regional partners” and an initiative that actively contributes to strengthening security across the Black Sea basin.

“The protection of critical infrastructure in the Black Sea requires a complex, integrated and long-term approach,” Romania’s Defence Ministry said in a statement issued after the summit.

The task force’s new responsibilities will allow it to contribute not only to navigational safety but also to NATO’s wider efforts to monitor and safeguard critical subsea assets.

Bulgaria boosts naval capabilities

The expanded mandate comes as Bulgaria seeks to strengthen its contribution to maritime security on NATO’s eastern flank while the country prepares to take over command of the multinational Black Sea task force from Turkey on 9 July. In Ankara, Defence Minister Stoyanov also signed a separate agreement with Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken and Dutch Defence Minister Dilan Yeşilgöz-Zegerius for the acquisition of seven second-hand mine countermeasure vessels.

The seven Tripartite-class mine hunters – four from Belgium and three from the Netherlands – will be transferred free of charge, with plans to modernise them in Bulgaria at a cost of €42 million.

“Securing the Black Sea has a significant impact on Euro-Atlantic security, and Bulgaria strives to be a reliable ally by contributing to NATO’s collective deterrence and defence efforts,” Stoyanov said.

The vessels are expected to reinforce Bulgaria’s role within the Black Sea task force and enhance allied naval capabilities in a region that NATO increasingly views as a critical component of its eastern defence posture.

The Bulgarian Navy already operates three Tripartite-class mine hunters acquired previously from Belgium and the Netherlands, giving it experience with the platform.

Sofia is also awaiting the delivery of its second new patrol vessel, Smeli, later this year. The first ship, Hrabri, entered service with the navy at the end of last year under a programme jointly implemented by Germany’s Lürssen and Bulgaria’s Delfin.

Sources: Reuters, Bulgarian MoD

Caption: (L-R) Bulgaria’s Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov, Romania’s Defence Minister Radu Miruta and Türkiye’s Defence Minister Yasar Guler sign an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Mine Countermeasures Naval Group in the Black Sea, in Ankara, Turkey, 8 July 2026/Bulgarian Ministry of Defence Press Office