“Bulgaria is Defenseless”: IDDA Vice President Warns After Drone Incident in Poland
Sofia, 11.09.25 — Colonel (Ret.) Ivan Milanov, Vice President of the International Drone Defense Association (IDDA), warned that Bulgaria is currently defenseless against unmanned aerial systems, following the recent events in Poland.
Colonel Milanov was invited on Bulgarian National Television to comment on the recent incursion of Russian drones into Poland and NATO’s response. He stressed that, despite years of warnings, Bulgaria still lacks the basic capacity to detect and neutralize drones. “For six years we have been working on this issue and alerting the institutions, but with little result. Bulgaria has no active early detection systems and we are practically defenseless,” he said.
Col. Milanov highlighted that drones can enter Bulgarian airspace at very low altitudes — between 50 and 120 meters — following the terrain and remaining undetected. He also pointed out that there is no national counter-drone strategy, no regulatory framework, and no clear division of responsibilities between the armed forces, the Ministry of Interior, and other institutions.
Military analyst Dimitar Stavrev confirmed the weaknesses, noting that Bulgaria’s radar coverage is minimal and that several tenders for modern 3D radars have failed. “While Poland has built a well-structured air defense system and benefits from NATO assets, Bulgaria has no modern systems deployed,” Stavrev explained.
IDDA Calls for Immediate Action
IDDA emphasized that drones are becoming increasingly cheap and accessible, while counter-drone measures remain costly — making urgent investment essential.
“If we fail to act now, Bulgaria risks irreversible vulnerability,” warned Col. Milanov.
The International Drone Defense Association has developed a comprehensive set of recommendations and a national action plan. These include establishing a regulatory and legal framework, building a strategic vision for counter-drone operations, deploying advanced detection and neutralization technologies, and providing institutional training.
“The time to act is now. Bulgaria must urgently build the capacity to detect, identify, and neutralize drones. IDDA stands ready to provide the knowledge and solutions needed to safeguard the country’s security,” Col. Milanov concluded.
IDDA’s expertise:
The International Drone Defense Association (IDDA) is a global platform bringing together leading experts in defense, technology, and security to develop effective solutions against the growing threat of drones.
