Turkey has proposed building a new $1,2 billion fuel pipeline through Bulgaria and terminating in Romania, Bloomberg reported, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The project is part of NATO's larger effort to expand its network of underground military pipelines, originally built to supply allied forces during the Cold War. The existing NATO Pipeline System (NPS) currently extends only as far as Germany, leaving a significant infrastructure gap on the alliance's eastern flank.

The planned pipeline will be used exclusively for military purposes. It is intended to help NATO's eastern wing countries meet their fuel needs for military equipment and aircraft in the event of a crisis or conflict. The technical specifications, capacity, and other project parameters are classified, as they are related to the alliance's military interests.

According to sources, construction along the Turkish route would cost five times less than alternatives proposed by NATO, including routes through Greece or west of Romania. These alternatives rely more heavily on maritime transport and are considered more vulnerable to disruption and attack.