Belgium Transfers Minehunter to Bulgaria to Increase Black Sea Security

Belgium completed the official handover of one of its older minehunters to Bulgaria as part of a pact between Belgium, the Netherlands, and Bulgaria designed to increase security capabilities in the Black Sea. While the agreement dates to July 2026, the recent Russian attacks on commercial shipping have further raised awareness of the need to increase NATO capabilities in the Black Sea.

The three countries announced the Tripartite Agreement on July 8, 2026, calling for the transfer of a total of seven minehunters, mostly dating from the late 1980s, to Bulgaria. Belgium will be transferring a total of four vessels while the Netherlands will supply three. They follow three earlier vessels of the same class that went to Bulgaria between 2009 and 2011.

Bulgaria has been working alongside Romania and Turkey to control mines in the Black Sea since the start of the war in Ukraine. The three countries partnered for mine patrols and clearance in an effort that continues. Bulgarian officials highlighted that these new vessel transfers will strengthen the capabilities of its navy to detect and neutralize mine threats in the Black Sea region.

The first of the transfers took place on October 30 at the Naval Base in Zeebrugge, Belgium. The former Belgian Bellis (M916), commissioned in 1986, was officially handed over to Bulgaria. They conducted a transfer of flags ceremony, and Bulgaria renamed the vessel Briz. After the necessary preparations, the vessel will be based at the Burgas Naval Base in Bulgaria.

This story was originally published by The Maritime Executive. Read the full story at The Maritime Executive →