Sofia is expanding its counter-drone capabilities, strengthening security at defense industry facilities, and conducting inspections of ammunition depots across the country. Bulgaria is strengthening the protection of strategic and critical facilities amid growing risks associated with drones, as well as following a series of incidents at defense industry sites.

 

On September 18, the Security Council under the Prime Minister discussed the security of strategic facilities, ammunition depots, and production sites where explosives are stored or used. Following the meeting, the authorities announced plans to expand counter-drone protection, modernize video surveillance systems, and increase police presence around potentially vulnerable facilities.

Defense Minister Dimitar Stoyanov said that existing counter-drone capabilities were insufficient and that additional funding was needed to procure new systems. At the same time, the approach envisages not simply equipping all facilities with identical systems, but establishing priorities based on the specific circumstances, including whether a facility is located in an urban or open area, its purpose, and the nature of potential threats. The authorities also intend to allocate funding for the modernization of video surveillance and other security systems at Ministry of Defense facilities.

Bulgaria plans to acquire more than ten counter-drone systems. The final number will depend on the funding available. At the same time, state authorities intend to expand inspections of critical infrastructure facilities and companies involved in the production and storage of ammunition and explosives.

Another priority is strengthening physical security. The Ministry of Interior and the State Agency for National Security will jointly inspect the facilities, after which their owners and operators will receive specific recommendations to improve security. Police patrols will also be increased in areas where ammunition depots and defense industry facilities are located.

The government’s decision follows several incidents at facilities operated by EMCO. On September 12, a fire broke out at an ammunition depot near the village of Gorni Varpishta in Gabrovo Province. Employees were evacuated and the authorities issued a BG Alert warning. According to the Bulgarian News Agency, there were no fatalities, and the fire was quickly brought under control, although the building and the property inside were destroyed. A month earlier, a fire broke out at another EMCO facility near Belitsa.

Following the September incident, the Ministry of Interior announced inspections of all ammunition depots across the country. Interior Minister Ivan Demerdzhiev said that attention should be paid not only to the condition of the facilities themselves, but also to the storage conditions for ammunition and explosives and to the organization of security. The authorities also stressed the need to address any identified deficiencies and improve the protection of facilities regardless of which company operates them.

The issue gained additional significance after EMCO raised the possibility of sabotage. Bulgarian authorities are investigating the circumstances of the recent incidents and considering various possible explanations. However, there is currently no official confirmation that the fires were caused by external interference.

Bulgaria is also developing its own technological capabilities in the field of counter-drone defense. On September 10, a drone detection, localization and countermeasure system developed by the Bulgarian company Samel-90 was demonstrated in Samokov. Representatives of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Transport, the Air Force, Land Forces, Navy, police, border services and other security institutions attended the demonstration. The system is designed to detect and locate drones and deploy electronic countermeasures.

It should be noted that Bulgaria has important energy, transport and industrial infrastructure, including facilities linked to the Black Sea and the national defense industry. As a result, the development of counter-drone capabilities is gradually becoming part of a broader state policy aimed at protecting critical infrastructure.

The regional context is also important. Bulgaria is a NATO member on the Alliance’s eastern flank and has direct access to the Black Sea. In recent years, drones have become one of the most widespread tools used for reconnaissance, strikes and violations of airspace in the region, increasing the need for effective early-warning and response capabilities. Strengthening Bulgaria’s capabilities in this area simultaneously improves the protection of national infrastructure and enhances the country’s ability to contribute to security on NATO’s eastern flank.

At the same time, Sofia is emphasizing the combination of national capabilities with European and NATO mechanisms. The Ministry of Defense has stated that it is considering various NATO and EU defense projects, seeking to make use of new instruments offered by both organizations while taking into account Bulgaria’s national interests and defense capability development objectives.

 

The decision taken by Sofia demonstrates that Bulgaria views the protection of critical infrastructure as a long-term component of national security rather than merely a temporary response to individual incidents. The development of domestic counter-drone systems and closer cooperation between state institutions and Bulgaria’s defense industry allow the country to strengthen its national technological base while increasing resilience on NATO’s eastern flank. The new protection framework covers not only military facilities but also energy, transport and industrial infrastructure of strategic importance to the Black Sea region.

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18.09.2026 03:18