Turkish Ministry of National Defense (MSB) said that a total of 275 suspicious objects have been detected in the Black Sea since 2022, including mines and unmanned systems, all of which have been neutralized.
In a written statement, the ministry said 10 of the objects were mines, eight were kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and 11 were kamikaze unmanned surface vehicles (USVs). All confirmed threats were destroyed by specialized teams.
Operations intensify in the Black Sea
The ministry said operations have been ongoing since March 26, 2022, under the coordination of the Naval Forces Command, focusing on reconnaissance, surveillance, patrol and neutralization missions.
To secure maritime areas, Turkish forces are deploying:
- 2 frigates, 1 submarine and 1 patrol vessel
- 1 maritime patrol aircraft, 1 helicopter and 1 UAV
Mine countermeasure operations involve:
- 2 minehunters, 1 fast attack craft
- 3 helicopters, 1 SAS team and 1 UAV
So far, operations have accumulated 28,150 hours of navigation, 1,554 sorties, and 7,711 flight hours, with all detected objects neutralized by SAS teams.
NATO-backed mine countermeasures
The ministry also highlighted regional cooperation efforts, noting that the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Force (MCM Black Sea) agreement was signed on January 11, 2024, under Turkey’s leadership with the participation of Romania and Bulgaria.
TB2 deployment and additional measures
The ministry said additional measures were introduced on Dec. 17, 2025, to strengthen maritime and air domain awareness.
As part of these efforts, three Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles were deployed to Cengiz Topel Airport, while two additional frigates were assigned to the region.
Currently, Turkish forces conduct four weekly maritime patrol flights, four UAV missions, and helicopter-supported mine surveillance operations in the Black Sea.
Coordination across institutions
The ministry said operations are carried out in coordination with multiple agencies, including the Coast Guard Command, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, as well as with Black Sea littoral states.
Surveillance activities are continuing to ensure the safety of drilling and research vessels operating in the western Black Sea.
Focus on maritime security
The ministry emphasized that maximum precautions remain in place against threats posed by drifting mines and unmanned systems, underlining Turkey’s commitment to maintaining maritime security in the region.
