On October 18, the USA transferred a Poseidon aircraft from Sicily to Varna. The aircraft patrols the Black Sea area at altitudes of 1800 meters.
The aircraft will strengthen surveillance, following the wave of drone attacks on commercial vessels in the area. The Ministry of Defense in Sofia confirmed to EFE that the crew is patrolling over the Black Sea, but did not specify how long the plane will be in Bulgaria.
The P-8A Poseidon specializes in maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and surface ship tracking, for which it is equipped with radar, electro-optical sensors, and other advanced systems, according to Antena3.
Bulgaria has requested NATO support, following the attacks on seven commercial ships in the Black Sea, starting from October 5.