The Bulgarian Navy has commissioned its new Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel (MMPV), BNG Hrabri.
The NVL platform built by MTG Dolphin in Varna, represents the country’s first entirely domestically constructed warship. Her name translates to “Brave.”
She is the first of two ships in the class; works on the second, BNG Smeli (“Courageous”) are at “an advanced stage” and the ship remains on schedule to enter service next year, as per an NVL press statement.
The 90-metre warships have a crew of about 70, displace about 2,300 tonnes, have a range of approximately 3,000 nautical miles and can achieve a maximum speed of more than 20 knots.
Their integrated combat management systems and weapons mix of guns and anti-ship missiles makes them capable of countering air and land-based threats as well as surface and undersea threats, said NVL.
The MMPVs can be armed with a 76-millimeter gun, a 35-millimeter close-in weapon system, anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles, and torpedoes. They can embark a maritime helicopter or a large uncrewed aerial system (UAS) in addition to two rigid-hull inflatable boats.
At Monday’s commissioning ceremony Bulgarian Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov commented: “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 defense industry.”
Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mikhailov added: “We are living in difficult times. What was previously unthinkable is a fact. War is upon us. The Naval Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria are called upon to protect Bulgarian interests in the seas and oceans and they must be able to fulfill this mission.”
CEO of MTG Dolphin Svetlin Stoyanov added: “This milestone demonstrates our shipbuilding capabilities, national industrial base and the strong partnership with NVL as prime contractor. Meeting such a complex programme on schedule highlights the commitment and expertise of both teams and the Navy.”
And CEO of NVL Tim Wagner said: “We are very proud to have achieved this significant milestone as the Bulgarian Navy receives the first of its two complex state-of-the-art corvettes on schedule.
“Together with our customer, our shipyard partner MTG Dolphin, and our national and international partners, we have delivered a highly efficient and effective vessel to the Bulgarian Navy.”
- You can read more details on the NVL website and on the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence website