site.btaUPDATED Transport Minister Calls Recent Drone Intrusion in Sofia Airport "Provocation or Testing of Security Systems"

Deputy Prime Minister and Transport and Communications Minister Grozdan Karadjov Monday commented that a drone spotted at Sofia Airport late on February 7 was either a provocation or an attempt to test the airport's security systems. He held a meeting at BULATSA (the Bulgarian Air Traffic Services Authority) to discuss technical solutions to restrict unauthorized drone intrusions in Bulgarian airports, as well as measures to improve cooperation between the responsible institutions.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Interior Ministry, BULATSA, the State Agency for National Security (SANS), the Directorate General Civil Aviation Administration, the Communications Regulation Commission and the airport's operator SOF Connect.

The drone intrusion caused landing delays to six flights on February 7. Karadjov said there were three causes for concern. First, this was a wing-type drone weighing over 30 kilograms. Second, operating such a drone requires specific skills. "You need specialized training," he added. Third, the drone initially positioned itself in the aircraft landing approach paths, and after the planes were redirected, the drone also repositioned itself.

The Transport Minister said there are security gaps that need to be addressed. In his view, the airport's security is insufficient to ensure the security of flights. He stressed it is a priority of the Ministry and all the responsible institutions to implement measures that guarantee flight security at the airport.

Karadjov said that especially since the start of the war in Ukraine, longer-flying drones had been developed. A drone of this type can travel up to 40 km from its operator. He noted that the other European airports "do not have a fail-safe solution to this issue" either.

Detecting such aircraft is challenging due to their smaller size, for which two systems need to be implemented. The first system, located at the airport, should function like an Iron Dome covering the airport's perimeter, Karadjov said. This system should neutralize any drone that breaches the airport’s perimeter. The second system should be capable of detecting all drones within a 20 km range. "This will be the State's responsibility," he added. "In this way, we will be able to neutralize a drone from as far away as possible and to identify the operator."

He explained that this is a task for the State - it will require legislative changes to which he is committed in his capacity as Minister of Transport and Communications. This legislation will draw on military expertise in drone neutralization. Karadjov also noted that DG Civil Aviation Administration is in the process of installing an antenna capable of detecting 80% of drones over the entire territory of Sofia. "Initially, we will rely on these antennas and on coordination from the Civil Aviation Administration," he added.

"One of the changes that must be made promptly is about the ban on interfering with radio frequencies. Regardless of whether a drone is flying over a sensitive site or a national security facility, we cannot jam it or take it down," Karadjov said.

Another change must define the weight of the evidence collected after apprehending a suspect. "Even if you catch someone on the spot with the device used to operate the drone, should they deny controlling it, it would be very difficult to make a case for the opposite in court," the Transport Minister said.

Taking a question, Karadjov said he had no information on who might be behind this provocation. He said an impact from such an aircraft could be fatal. "This is not a teenager's game, we need to act," he added.

The Air Traffic Control Authority is expected to prepare a report summarizing the available information by February 14.

On February 8, the Transport and Communications Ministry said BULATSA's flight controllers had been in constant contact with the Interior Ministry, the Border Police and SANS, and monitored the drone's movement and behaviour at all times. The landing of several planes had to be rescheduled to ensure a safe trajectory.

Aldo that day, Karadjov ordered BULATSA to propose a technical solution for early detection and tracking of drones at Bulgarian airports. "Adequate anti-drone systems are needed to secure the perimeter of airports. Conventional anti-drone systems are impracticable at these sites because they can affect communication and navigation equipment," he said as quoted by the Transport Ministry.