site.btaDemining Task Group Begins Work in Black Sea

Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mikhailov on Monday took part in a meeting of the Black Sea Mine Countermeasure Task Group (MCM Black Sea) in Istanbul together with the commanders of the navies of Turkyie and Romania, the Defence Ministry said. A set of operational documents regulating the activities of the group were signed at the meeting.

At a ceremony, in the presence of the Naval Commanders of the three countries, the first activation of the MCM Black Sea was launched.

The Bulgarian Navy is participating with mine hunter Struma with commander Miroslav Dobrev. During the first activation until 16 July the group will operate in the national maritime spaces of the three countries. The ships will perform mine reconnaissance and surveillance tasks, demining action in designated areas, joint exercises, improving interoperability and enhancing NATO maritime situational awareness.

The task force will take part in the maritime phase of the national naval Breeze 2024 exercise with international participation.

In January, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the governments of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkiye on the establishment of a Mine Counter-measures Task Group Black Sea.