"Breeze 2026": Iliana Iotova observes large-scale military demonstrations in Burgas

International Presence and Large-Scale Exercises in the Bay of Burgas

Participants in the national naval exercise with international participation "Breeze 2026" in Burgas demonstrated their capabilities during the Distinguished Visitors and Media Day. Vice President Iliana Iotova attended the event to personally observe the execution of complex crisis response scenarios.

"The main goal of the exercise is to increase interoperability and interaction between allies by conducting a wide range of operations at sea," the presidential press secretariat noted.

Key Demonstrations and Scenarios

• Extinguishing a fire on a ship in the open sea;
• Overcoming the consequences of an incident involving a merchant vessel;
• Repelling attacks from an aerial adversary;
• Tactical actions against underwater threats.

Representatives from a number of countries, including Bulgaria, the USA, Turkey, France, Italy, Greece, and others, are participating in "Breeze 2026". The exercise involves complex coordination between ships, aviation, unmanned underwater vehicles, and elite diving groups aimed at ensuring security and readiness for response in the Black Sea.