Bulgaria's first MMPV 90 multi-role frigate Hrabri begins sea trials in the Black Sea.

The Bulgarian Navy has started testing the Hrabri, its first new 90-meter multipurpose modular patrol vessel constructed under a 2020 agreement with NVL Group, in the Black Sea before an official commissioning by the end of 2025.

On November 11, 2025, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense announced that the Bulgarian Navy had started testing the Hrabri, its first new 90-meter multipurpose modular patrol vessel (MMPV 90) constructed under a 2020 agreement with NVL Group. The sea trials in the Black Sea will assess propulsion, electronic, and navigation systems before delivery by the end of 2025. The second ship, Smeli, is scheduled for completion in 2026 as part of Bulgaria’s ongoing naval modernization program.
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Germany’s NVL Group developed the MMPV 90-class, selected by Bulgaria in 2020, as an evolution of its OPV-90, itself derived from the smaller OPV-80 used for Brunei’s Darussalam-class and Australia’s Arafura-class ships. (Picture source: Bulgarian MoD)

The trials mark a major step in the implementation of the 2020 contract signed with Germany’s NVL Group, formerly Lürssen Defence, for the construction of two 90-meter multipurpose modular patrol vessels (MMPV 90) at MTG Dolphin Shipyard in Varna. The tests will evaluate propulsion, steering, electronic systems, and stability before the ship’s acceptance into active service, which will be formally classified as a frigate upon completion. Commissioning of Hrabri had officially started on November 10, 2025, and after successful completion of trials, the vessel is expected to enter the Bulgarian Navy’s inventory by the end of 2025. The ship’s construction began on December 3, 2021, with the cutting of steel at MTG Dolphin, followed by the laying of the keel on June 17, 2022, and launching on August 4, 2023. The program involves numerous Bulgarian suppliers, with NVL serving as the prime contractor and MTG Dolphin as the main subcontractor.

The contract signed between the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense and NVL on November 12, 2020, has a total value of 984 million lev, equivalent to about €503 million, and includes training, logistics support for three years, and infrastructure work. The total cost, excluding weapon systems and ammunition, was estimated at approximately €420 million. The second ship, Smeli, was launched ahead of schedule on December 12, 2024, and is due for delivery in 2026, one year after Hrabri. Both ships are based on the NVL OPV-90 offshore patrol vessel (OPV), which derives from the OPV-80 design used for Brunei’s Darussalam-class and Australia’s Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels. The MMPV 90 project is currently the largest naval construction effort ever undertaken by Bulgaria and part of a broader modernization plan that includes the acquisition of F-16 Block 70/72 fighter jets and armored vehicles. Once completed, the two ships will replace aging Soviet-era corvettes and expand Bulgaria’s ability to conduct NATO and EU maritime operations in the Black Sea region.

The Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel (MMPV 90) design is a steel monohull, 90 meters in length, 13.5 meters in beam, and with a full displacement of approximately 2,300 tons. It is powered by a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) propulsion system driving twin shafts for a maximum speed of 24 knots and an operational range of 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots. The ships have an autonomy of seven days and a crew complement of around 70, including flight personnel. Each vessel includes a hangar and flight deck capable of supporting a Eurocopter AS565MB Panther helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicles, two RHIBs located amidships, and a stern ramp for rapid deployment of fast craft. NVL’s modular layout provides capacity for variable mission modules, variable depth sonar, or other containerized payloads, allowing flexible configuration for patrol, anti-submarine, or rescue operations. The design also reserves space and weight margins for future growth in weapon or sensor systems throughout the vessel’s lifecycle.

The ships’ combat systems are centered on the Saab 9LV integrated combat management system (CMS), designed to link radar, weapons, and electronic warfare components for tactical coordination. Sensors include the Saab Sea Giraffe AMB multifunction radar with integrated IFF, the CEROS 200 fire control radar, the EOS 500 electro-optical director, and the SME-series electronic support measures (ESM) system. The MMPV 90 also includes two navigation radars, a hull-mounted sonar, and a Rheinmetall MASS decoy system for countermeasures. Communication systems are based on Saab’s TactiCall integrated communication system, certified at EAL 5+ for secure handling of internal and external communications, with compatibility for NATO and joint operations. Data exchange will use Link-11 for initial interoperability, with planned upgrades to Link-22 and Link-16, in accordance with NATO standards, replacing legacy systems. Each vessel is built to DNV GL classification standards for warships and will be formally certified as a frigate upon completion.

The armament configuration includes an OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapid naval gun as the main artillery system, a Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium 35 mm close-in weapon system, and two twin launchers for Saab Diehl Defence RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missiles. Vertical launch cells host MBDA VL MICA surface-to-air missiles for short- to medium-range air defense, while two 324 mm triple-tube torpedo launchers deploy Leonardo A244/S torpedoes for anti-submarine warfare. The combination of these weapons enables the ships to engage aerial, surface, and underwater threats within NATO task groups or independent operations. Separate contracts have been signed for missile, torpedo, and gun systems, while negotiations with the United States government are ongoing under the Foreign Military Sales program for cryptographic and communication encryption systems. According to the Ministry of Defense, the next phases of fitting-out are proceeding on schedule, ensuring that the ships’ weapon and sensor integration remain aligned with Bulgaria’s operational requirements and NATO standards.

The program’s origins trace back to early 2000s efforts to procure new surface combatants, including a preliminary agreement with France’s DCN for Gowind-class corvettes that did not materialize. A new initiative in 2016, authorized by parliament, approved two multi-role patrol vessels at a maximum value of 820 million lev. In 2017, bids were received from DCNS, Lürssen, BAE Systems, Fincantieri, Navantia, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, and MTG Dolphin. MTG Dolphin initially won but withdrew during contract preparation due to VAT changes, leading to a retender in 2019. Lürssen’s proposal met financial and technical requirements, securing the final contract in 2020. To support the program locally, NVL established Naval Technology Bulgaria in Varna in 2021 as an engineering and technical support center responsible for hull design, outfitting, mechanical and electrical systems, logistics, and warranty engineering. The subsidiary achieved ISO 9001:2015 certification in June 2022 and now employs about 40 specialists. Local suppliers have been integrated for interior fittings, air-conditioning, and insulation, expanding domestic industrial participation and employment.

Once in service, Hrabri and Smeli will form the core of Bulgaria’s 1st Patrol Ships Division based in Varna, replacing the aging Pauk-class corvettes Reshitelni and Bodri. They will enhance Bulgaria’s participation in NATO and EU maritime security operations and enable the Navy to perform surveillance, interdiction, and anti-submarine missions in the Black Sea and Mediterranean theaters. The two ships are expected to contribute to maritime situational awareness, coastal protection, and allied fleet operations, extending Bulgaria’s ability to detect and engage threats across air, surface, and underwater domains. They are also intended to support search-and-rescue, environmental monitoring, and humanitarian operations as part of NATO or EU joint deployments. The completion of the MMPV 90 program, together with the F-16 Block 70/72 acquisition and armored vehicle programs, represents a broader modernization effort to replace obsolete Soviet-era assets with systems interoperable with current NATO structures and technology standards, ensuring a long-term enhancement of Bulgaria’s defense posture in the Black Sea region.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.