Bulgaria’s Navy receives first new multi-purpose modular patrol vessel
At an official ceremony in Varna on December 8, the Bulgarian Navy flag was raised for the first time on the Hrabri, the country’s new multifunctional modular patrol vessel.
Hrabri is the first of two multifunctional modular patrol ships, the construction of which is being carried out within the framework of the project “Acquisition of a multifunctional modular patrol ship for the Navy”.
The implementation of the project began in 2020 with the conclusion of a contract between the Defence Ministry and FR. Lurssen Werft GMBH&Co.KG, subsequently renamed NVL BV&Co.KG. The construction of the first ship was launched on December 3 2021 with an official ceremony at the MTG-Delfin ship repair and shipbuilding plant.
The sea trials of the Hrabri took place in November 2025 in the Varna Bay area and designated areas in the Black Sea.
“Today is a historic day for our Navy, because after more than 100 years, for the first time in Bulgaria, a new warship is being produced by our defence industry,” Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov said.
He said that he expects Bulgaria to soon receive approval from the European Commission for the nine projects under the SAFE mechanism, two of which are related to the acquisition of additional missiles for the two new ships.
Zapryanov said that the protection of Bulgaria’s territorial waters and economic zone in the Black Sea can be achieved precisely with ships like the newly acquired Hrabri and with people in the naval forces who have dedicated their lives to faithful service to the country.
Defence Chief Admiral Emil Eftimov said: “Today is the result of the efforts of many people – the state leadership, the Navy, the NVL company and MTG Delfin.
“This project is unique in that it is being implemented in a domestic shipyard, the region is developing, engineering and shipbuilding personnel are being retained, a vision and a way forward are being created,” Evtimov said.
“We are taking another significant, firm, confident step in the modernisation of the Bulgarian military. The first F-16 aircraft are arriving, we are raising the flag of the first modular multi-purpose patrol ship, we are expecting the new combat vehicles for the Land Forces,” he said.
Evtimov emphasised the growing geopolitical importance of the Black Sea and the need for capabilities for the Bulgarian military.
Bulgarian Navy commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov said: “The capabilities that this new ship gives us are adequate to modern conditions. They will also be adequate to future threats. This makes us proud and presents us with serious tasks.
“We live in complex times. What was previously unthinkable is a fact. War is close to us. The Naval Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria are called on to protect Bulgarian interests in the seas and oceans and they must be capable of fulfilling this mission,” Mihailov said.
(Photos: Ministry of Defence)
