Bulgaria is moving forward with plans to procure the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System following approval from the Council of Ministers, aiming to enhance coastal defense and deterrence in the Black Sea region. The acquisition supports Sofia’s broader efforts to modernize its armed forces amid growing regional security challenges.
The deal will be executed through a US-led foreign military sales process, mirroring previous Bulgarian defense purchases including F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and Stryker armored vehicles. Washington has already cleared a potential FMS sale estimated at $620 million, which includes the Naval Strike Missile Coastal Defence System, transport and loading vehicles, and supporting equipment.
According to documentation submitted to Bulgaria’s parliament, the procurement envisions two contracts valued at approximately $205 million for the missile defense system and $3 million for a dedicated command-and-control solution. Details regarding the purchase of missile ammunition remain unconfirmed at this stage. Funding for the program will be provided solely from national budgets under Bulgaria’s Defence Capabilities Development Programme 2032.
Developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the NSM Coastal Defence System combines mobile launchers, an advanced fire control system, and integrated sea surveillance radar. The Naval Strike Missile features a 500-pound class warhead, sea-skimming flight profile, and terminal maneuverability, with engagement ranges exceeding 100 nautical miles. Upon induction, Bulgaria will align with neighboring Romania, which acquired the system in late 2022, further reinforcing NATO’s maritime posture in the Black Sea.
