# Bulgaria Seeks Five IRIS-T Batteries

Bulgaria is considering five additional German-made IRIS-T SLM air-defense batteries, which would expand its planned fleet to six alongside the unit ordered in August 2024. The proposal follows reported drone strikes on commercial vessels in Bulgaria’s Black Sea exclusive economic zone and calls for stronger maritime surveillance, coastal defenses, and faster counter-drone procurement. The expansion remains an early-stage procurement signal: no solicitation or award has been published, and the additional units’ price and official delivery schedule are not disclosed. One report says a contract could be expected within weeks, while another notes that meaningful capability could take five or more years after signature. Bulgaria’s October 25 and November 1, 2026 presidential election dates may affect the timeline.

- The initial IRIS-T SLM unit was ordered in 2024 for approximately €180.6 million. The reported combined cost of the initial and proposed expansion is just over **€1.1 billion**; the additional-unit value has not been specified.
- Defense contractors supplying air-defense systems, radar, surveillance, and counter-drone detection or interception capabilities may find relevant market signals, but there is no published solicitation or deadline to pursue at this stage.
- Companies positioning for future work can assess how their capabilities align with Bulgaria’s stated interest in air defense and maritime surveillance. The reported multi-year path to operational capability points to a potentially extended delivery and integration horizon.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 11, 2026

### Government Entities
- Bulgarian Ministry of Defense
- Council of Ministers of Bulgaria
- Government of Bulgaria
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

### Vendors
- Diehl Defence (IRIS-T SLM system manufacturer)
- Hensoldt (Radar supplier for the IRIS-T SLM system)
- Airbus (IRIS-T SLM system participant)

### Key Quotes
> the goal is to guarantee the protection of the Bulgarian territory and the country's contribution to the general defense capabilities of NATO
> — Rumen Radev, President of Bulgaria

### Sources
- [Bulgaria Is Dangerously Unprepared for Drone Defense - Novinite.com - Sofia News Agency](https://www.novinite.com/articles/240966/Bulgaria+Is+Dangerously+Unprepared+for+Drone+Defense) - Novinite.com
- [NATO’s Last All-Soviet Air Defense — Bulgaria Wants Five IRIS-T SLM Batteries to Escape S-200 and S-300 Dependence  | Defense Express](https://en.defence-ua.com/industries/natos_last_all_soviet_air_defense_bulgaria_wants_five_iris_t_slm_batteries_to_escape_s_200_and_s_300_dependence-20066.html) - Defense Express