Belgium and the Netherlands will transfer seven minesweepers to Bulgaria, provided that Ukraine supports it
14.09.2025 - 16:14
Belgium and the Netherlands have agreed to transfer seven Tripartite-class minesweepers to Bulgaria free of charge — four Belgian and three Dutch.
Along with the ships, Bulgaria will receive spare parts and a tactical simulator, Naval News reports.
The costs of restoring combat readiness and further maintenance of the ships will be covered by Sofia, involving mainly Belgian companies.
The condition for the transfer is assistance to Ukraine: Bulgaria has pledged to educate and train Ukrainian crews of this class of ships.
In June 2025, Belgium and the Netherlands have already transferred two minesweepers to Ukraine, with another expected by the end of the year. The transfer to Bulgaria is part of the modernization of the fleets of Belgium and the Netherlands, which are gradually replacing the old Tripartite with new ships of the rMCM program.
