Bulgaria’s Council of Ministers has taken a significant step toward enhancing its coastal defense capabilities in the Black Sea by approving the acquisition of the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System. This decision marks an important development in the country’s military modernization efforts.
The procurement will be executed through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS) agreement with the United States, following a precedent set by Bulgaria’s earlier acquisitions, including F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and Stryker armored vehicles. The U.S. State Department has greenlighted a potential sale to Bulgaria, estimated at approximately $620 million. This deal encompasses not only the Naval Strike Missile system but also includes ammunition and transport-loading vehicles.
A detailed document submitted to the Bulgarian Parliament outlines two separate contracts: one valued at around $205 million for the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System and another at $3 million for an associated command-and-control system. However, the specifics regarding the procurement of ammunition remain unconfirmed as part of these contracts.
Once the cabinet approval is officially processed, the investment proposal will move forward to Parliament for ratification. Following approval, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence plans to sign the necessary contracts. According to Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, most of the financial commitments related to the project are anticipated to occur in 2029-2030, with the project slated for full execution by the end of 2030.
This initiative is part of a larger rearmament plan under Bulgaria’s Armed Forces Investment Programme and Defence Capabilities Development Programme 2032, which is entirely funded through national resources. Upon completion, Bulgaria will join Romania in utilizing the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System, as Romania had previously acquired the same system in December 2022.
The Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System, developed by Norwegian firm Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, comprises an advanced fire control system, missile launcher units, and integrated sea surveillance and tracking radar. This missile system is adept at targeting both maritime and land-based threats at ranges exceeding 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers), featuring a 500-pound (226-kilogram) class warhead and demonstrating advanced sea-skimming and terminal maneuvering capabilities. Such enhancements aim to strengthen Bulgaria’s defense posture in a region of increasing geopolitical importance.
