On October 6th, Inter Drone Expo 2026 officially kicked off at Inter Expo Center – Sofia. The event was inaugurated by Prime Minister Rumen Radev and Minister of Transport and Communications Georgi Peev, who emphasized the crucial importance of unmanned technologies and security systems for the national economy and defense.
Official representatives visited the exhibition stands and gained first-hand insights into the new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities of the TERES 02 reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles, implemented by KONTRAX and Telesys in the Land Forces of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.
The forum takes place against a backdrop of rising tensions and shifting geopolitical realities. Recent incidents involving aerial and naval drones targeting commercial vessels in the Bulgarian Exclusive Economic Zone in the Black Sea, alongside airspace incursions along the border with Romania, have brought security to the forefront. These events confirmed that protecting maritime, transport, and national infrastructure from unmanned systems is no longer a theoretical concern, but an urgent priority for both government and business.
The protection of critical infrastructure from unmanned aerial vehicles and the capabilities of reconnaissance systems were also featured on national television. In a special news report for Nova TV, Nikolay Yordanov, CEO of KONTRAX, commented on the application of unmanned technologies for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target designation, highlighting their vital role in strengthening national security and defense.
📺 Watch the full Nova News report in Bulgarian here:
Experts are unanimous – the threat to shipping and our national security is direct (Nova.bg)
Next-Generation Threats and KONTRAX Solutions
The dynamics of modern conflicts and rapid technological progress demand a multi-layered approach to security. Traditional perimeter security systems are no longer sufficient to protect strategic assets such as ports, power plants, airports, industrial complexes, and other critical installations.
As one of the leading technology system integrators in Bulgaria, KONTRAX presents at its booth integrated solutions for early detection, tracking, and counteraction of unmanned aerial vehicles. Our experts demonstrate how combining various technologies guarantees full control over airspace and surface waters:
- Radar Systems & RF Scanners for Early Detection: Identification of unauthorized unmanned aircraft at distances of several kilometers, well before they enter the protected perimeter.
- Optoelectronic Systems with Thermal Cameras, AI Tracking, and Analysis: Automatic visual verification and target lock under any weather conditions, 24/7.
- Counter-UAS / Jamming Systems and Kinetic Countermeasures: Interruption of control signals, video streams, and GPS/GNSS navigation, ensuring the safe neutralization or repelling of drones.
- Centralized Security Management Platforms (C2 Systems): Unifying all sensors and mitigation tools into a single-interface operational ecosystem for instant response.
A key highlight of our participation was our active contribution to the conference program, for which we express our gratitude to the Association of the Bulgarian Aviation Industry. As part of the specialized forum “DRONES, DEFENCE, FUTURE OF AIR MOBILITY”, our colleague Mikhail Mikhailov – Strategic Partnerships Account Manager participated as a panelist in the panel discussion: COUNTER DRONE SYSTEMS FOR CRITICAL NATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
The discussion focused on the urgent need to modernize the protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) assets, highlighting KONTRAX’s experience in deploying resilient Counter-UAS architectures. The session also addressed the necessity of establishing a modern regulatory framework and fostering close coordination between government institutions, critical infrastructure operators, and technology integrators.
Visit Us at Inter Drone Expo 2026
We invite you to visit the KONTRAX booth at Inter Expo Center from October 6 to 9 to meet our specialists, learn more about our portfolio of counter-drone systems and security solutions, and discuss how we can protect your organization against modern high-tech threats.
GALLERY
