A naval exercise will start on Friday involving more than 30 vessels from Bulgaria, United States, Greece, Romania, Turkey and two NATO standing groups in Bulgaria's Black Sea area, officials said Wednesday.Two navy helicopters, two aircraft from the Bulgarian Air Force, and a US patrol aircraft will also join the Bulgarian Navy-led exercise codenamed Breeze 2015, along with representatives of 21 agencies from four ministries, as well as local authorities and NGOs, the navy said in a press release.

The 10-day drill, carried out under the plan of the Bulgarian Army for 2015, will be conducted in accordance with NATO standards and procedures.

"Breeze 2015 is aimed at improving the level of training of navy personnel in planning and conducting a maritime operation in a coalition format, and raising the level of coordination with governmental and non-governmental organizations and institutions in response to crises and protecting the population," a press statement said.

The drill will be held in the territorial sea, the contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Bulgaria, the navy said.