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The Bulgarian Defense Ministry informed NATO and the Romanian General Staff 7 days ago that it will not be able to participate in the “Poseidon 21” maneuvers due to detected cases of coronavirus. This was announced by the Ministry of Defense.
Bulgaria will not participate in the alliance’s maneuvers, which began in the Black Sea, as cases of COVID-19 have been found on two ships of the country’s navy.
The official inauguration ceremony of the Poseidon 21 maneuvers took place in the Romanian port of Constance. Previously, seven countries of the alliance were planned to participate in them: Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, Romania, the United States, Turkey and France.
The exercises, which will run from February 27 to March 6, involve more than 700 personnel, 13 ships and nine aircraft. Its scenario includes episodes of neutralization of submarine threats with hydrographic reconnaissance operations, detection and elimination of marine mines and improvised explosive devices, mixed episodes of combat against enemy aircraft, surface ships and submarines, as well as towing a damaged ship, cargo in the sea and first aid.
An episode of joint actions of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior is planned on the ground in the conditions of an explosion in a hydraulic structure on the Romanian coast.
“The Poseidon 21 maneuvers are included in NATO’s Combined Joint Enhanced Training (CJET) program,” the Romanian Navy said. Its goal is to make optimal use of NATO capabilities to strengthen the Alliance’s ability to respond rapidly to ongoing changes in the regional security environment.
