Bulgaria plans to join NATO’s low-flying-threat defence project by October 30
Bulgaria plans to join a NATO project against low-flying air threats by October 30, Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told parliament. He said the annual contribution was affordable after a review of participation options. The minister distinguished this initiative from Drone Edge, where Bulgaria already participates and is planning a separate procurement with Spain.
Geopolitics··Evening
Bulgaria plans participation in the NATO project
Bulgaria plans to join a NATO project for protection against low-flying air threats, including drones. The planned participation brings the country into the alliance’s shared defence initiative.[1], [2]
Defence Minister Dimitar Stoyanov told the National Assembly on 14 October that he expected Bulgaria to join by 30 October. He was answering lawmaker Hamid Hamid’s question about air and drone defence. The minister said the country had not participated in this project since 2025.[1]
The ministry examined the budget contribution
The government examined participation options and their budget implications before the announcement. Stoyanov said the ministry considered the project’s annual contribution affordable. He distinguished the low-flying-threat project from Drone Edge, another initiative in which Bulgaria already participates. He denied saying that the country would leave Drone Edge, clarifying its continued involvement.[1]
A separate procurement is planned with Spain
Within the separate Drone Edge framework, Stoyanov described a planned acquisition of twenty systems, split between mobile and stationary equipment. He said a memorandum with Spain for joint procurement was still expected to be signed. That proposal and the timetable for joining the low-flying-threat project are plans described to parliament; equipment delivery remains a later step.[1]
