site.bta Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group's Seventh Activation Takes Place in Romania

The seventh activation of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group (MCM Black Sea) began with an official ceremony at the Port of Constanta, Romania, on October 4, the Bulgarian Defence Ministry's press centre reported on Monday. The group includes the Bulgarian Navy’s base minesweeper Shkval, commanded by Captain Svetoslav Andonov, two ships from the Romanian Navy, and one vessel from the Turkish Navy.

On October 6-10, the base minesweeper Shkval, together with the other ships in the mine countermeasures group, will take part in the multinational exercise POSEIDON 25. The annual POSEIDON series of exercises is aimed at improving operational interoperability in mine countermeasures and is alternately organized by the naval forces of Romania and Bulgaria.

This year’s edition of the exercise, hosted by Romania, will involve military personnel and vessels from thirteen partner countries – Romania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, France, Greece, Italy, Poland, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Sweden, and Turkiye – as well as two NATO structures: Allied Maritime Command (MARCOM) and the Naval Mine Warfare Centre Of Excellence.

During the at-sea episodes, the base minesweeper Shkval will carry out out reconnaissance and monitoring tasks for drifting mines and mine-like objects, mine countermeasure operations in designated areas, joint training activities, and actions aimed at improving operational interoperability and enhancing maritime situational awareness.

MCM Black Sea was established with the signing of a memorandum between Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkiye in early 2024, with the aim of ensuring maritime traffic safety and countering the threat of naval mines, the statement added.