Bulgaria and Germany sign contract to enhance Naval capabilities with advanced warfare systems.

According to information published by the German government on August 16, 2024, Bulgarian Minister of Defence Atanas Zapryanov and Dirk Malgowski, Managing Director of the German shipyard NVL B.V. & Co. KG, signed a contract to enhance the capabilities of Bulgaria’s naval fleet.
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Artist rendering of the future Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel or MMPV. (Picture source: NVL Group)

The agreement focuses on equipping two Multi-Purpose Modular Patrol Vessels, currently being constructed by NVL in partnership with Bulgaria’s MTG-Dolphin plc, with advanced Electronic Warfare and Anti-Submarine Warfare systems.

About the MMPV

The Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel (MMPV) program represents a significant enhancement of the Bulgarian Navy's capabilities. Under this initiative, the Navy is acquiring two advanced vessels designed to perform a wide range of missions, including anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine operations.

The MMPVs are being constructed by the NVL Group (formerly known as Lürssen Werft), a German shipbuilding company. These ships are based on the NVL OPV-90 design, but they feature enhancements tailored for combat operations. Each vessel will be approximately 90 meters long, with a displacement of 2,300 tonnes, making them the largest ships in the Bulgarian fleet.

These vessels are armed with a comprehensive array of weaponry, including Saab RBS15 Mk 3 anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air missiles launched from an eight-cell vertical launch system, lightweight torpedoes, and a 76 mm naval gun.

They are also equipped with advanced electronics and sensors, including a 3D radar, a combat management system provided by Saab, and hull-mounted sonar for submarine detection. Additionally, the ships have facilities to operate a helicopter.

The first vessel, named Hrabri, is expected to enter service in 2025, followed by the second, Smeli, in 2026.