''There’s no money for new submarines'', said Bulgaria’s Minister of Defense Atanas Zapryanov. That’s why the defense investment projects through 2032 do not include the purchase of submarines, whether second-hand or small ones, added Chief of Defense Admiral Emil Eftimov. He explained that the Bulgarian Navy is rethinking its concept, with a shift in focus toward drone capabilities.

The Commander of the Bulgarian Navy, Rear Admiral Kiril Mihaylov, noted that submarines have been removed from the list of priorities, but the country needs them to ensure a much-needed deterrence against any aggression.

Russia and Turkiye are the only Black Sea countries that operate submarines. For the past five years, Bulgaria’s last submarine, Slava (Glory), has been docked as a museum exhibit in Beloslav, on the shore of Lake Varna.

Published and translated by Kostadin Atanasov

Photo: Veneta Nikolova