Belgium has approved the transfer of four decommissioned minehunters to Bulgaria under a contract worth €24 million (over $28 million).
The vessels will be modernised at Belgian shipyards before being deployed by Bulgaria in the Black Sea. Defence Minister Theo Francken said the deal would strengthen NATO’s presence in the region while also supporting Belgian industry.
“Bulgaria will receive ships it can deploy in the Black Sea, and our Belgian industry will benefit from €24 million in employment and high-tech contracts,” Francken said. “In this way, we are not only strengthening NATO but also our own economy.”
He added that transferring the ships allows Belgium to avoid the costs of maintaining or dismantling older vessels as the navy transitions to a new generation of mine countermeasure ships.
Under the agreement, Bulgaria will cover the costs of modernising and maintaining the minehunters in Belgium, ensuring long-term contracts for Belgian companies and continued technical support for the Bulgarian navy.
Francken also noted that three Dutch vessels could be added to the programme in the future.
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