Bulgaria’s Navy launches second new patrol vessel, ahead of schedule
The second of the two new multifunctional modular patrol ships of the Bulgarian Navy – the Smeli, was launched ahead of schedule on December 12, Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said.
The solemn ceremony took place at the Varna ship repair and shipbuilding enterprise MTG-Delfin, the ministry said.
According to the contract concluded at the end of 2020 between the Ministry of Defence and German shipbuilding company Naval Vessels Lurssen – NVL, the Bulgarian Navy will acquire two multifunctional modular patrol ships, which are being built at the MTG Delfin shipyard near Bulgaria’s seaside city of Varna.
The ships will have modern capabilities for conducting effective combat operations against air, surface and underwater enemies in accordance with Nato standards, Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry said.
The first of the two new ships – Hrabri, has already been launched. Steps are underway to fit it out with equipment. Preparations for conducting its tests in port have also begun.
The tests are planned for the period January – April 2025.
By the end of 2025, sea trials should be conducted and the ship should be finally commissioned into the Bulgarian Navy.
The launching of the second ship – Smeli, was contractually planned for April 2025, but was carried out on December 12 2024. Her hull was built in the dock chamber of the MTG Deflin plant.
Separate contracts have already been concluded for the supply of the necessary ammunition for the ships’ weapons systems – for anti-ship missiles, anti-aircraft guided missiles and homing torpedoes.
At the same time, procedures are being carried out for the supply of encryption devices for communication equipment under the US government’s Foreign Military Sales Programme.
The two new multifunctional modular patrol ships for the Navy are being built according to international standards for warships, the Defence Ministry said.
Supervision is carried out by the classification society DNV GL, which, upon completion of the project, will designate the vessels as frigates.
The training of the crews and specialists from the Navy’s repair bodies is included in the subject of the contract with NVL and will be conducted on board the ships in Bulgaria and at the contractor’s production facilities abroad.
Training abroad began at the end of October 2024. The first courses for torpedo systems were held in October-November 2024 in the city of Livorno, Italy.
Courses on the general structure of the ship are currently being held at the Varna naval base, and in early 2025, courses are scheduled in Sweden and Italy on the ship’s combat control system and weapons systems.
(Photo: Bulgaria’s Defence Ministry)
