Bulgarian Navy Plans to Acquire Two Multipurpose Patrol Vessels

: Posted On Friday, 08 April 2016 10:15

Naval Forces News - Bulgaria

Bulgarian Navy Plans to Acquire Two Multipurpose Patrol Vessels

By Stelios Kanavakis
The Bulgarian Navy is planning to procure two combat, multipurpose patrol vessels according to the Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev. The government has allocated USD 477.8 mil. for this programme. The patrol ships are expected to enter service by 2022.

The Bulgarian Navy is planning to procure two combat, multipurpose patrol vessels according to the Defence Minister Nikolay Nenchev. The government has allocated USD 477.8 mil. for this programme. The patrol ships are expected to enter service by 2022.

The Bulgarian Navy frigate Verni (42) in the Black Sea, 8 July 2015. Verni is the former Belgian frigate Wielingen (F910) that was sold to Bulgaria in 2009. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Luis R. Chavez.

The vessels are part of a bigger acquisition plan, which has been approved by the parliament, aiming at replacing legacy equipment and bringing the country closer to the NATO standards.

Bulgarian security concerns arise from Russia’s policy in Ukraine, while it considers possible that illegal immigrants and refugees from war torn countries might arrive by sea through Turkey.

The surface units will be fully equipped and will feature a helipad. The Bulgarian Government is considering of building the ships locally in an effort to cut the costs by 30% according to the minister. However, this estimate might not be proved given that two units are quite few to create economies of scale, while design and construction rights could increase the overall cost.

Previous plans of the Bulgarian Navy to acquire modern corvettes had been scrapped due to financial constraints. Instead, the Ministry of Defence accepted three Wielingen-class frigates from the Belgian Navy.