Anti-drone systems in Bulgaria lack full neutralization capabilities

Bulgaria lacks comprehensive drone defense capabilities at sensitive installations, including nuclear facilities and airports, despite growing security risks, according to Stayko Topalov, president of the International Association for Combating Drones. The engineer told NOVA television that military police recently demonstrated detection equipment near the Burgas refinery but emphasized that effective protection requires multilayered systems costing between 5 million and 10 million euros capable of jamming signals, commandeering aircraft, or physically destroying targets rather than simply identifying threats.

Bulgarian authorities have never recorded a successful drone interception domestically, though military exercises four days earlier showed downing capabilities exist with proper equipment acquisition. Topalov noted that airport closure expenses from single incidents justify investment in defense technology covering perimeters from 500 meters to several kilometers, depending on configuration requirements.