Varna, On The Black Sea, June 18, (BTA/GNA) – A keel laying ceremony was held for the Bulgarian Navy’s new multi-role patrol ship Hrabri at the shipyard of MTG Dolphin near Varna. Attending the ceremony were President and Commander-in Chief of the Bulgarian Armed Forces Rumen Radev, Defence Minister Dobromir Zakov, Defence Chief Admiral Emil Eftimov, and Navy Commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov.
The ceremony has launched in effect the construction of the ship. The construction of a second patrol ship is scheduled to begin in early 2023.
Speaking at the ceremony, President Radev said that Bulgaria has returned on the map of military shipbuilding. He said that modern day warfare requires of Bulgaria’s navy a wide range of capabilities.
In his remarks Minister Zakov said that the speeded up modernization and the rearmament of the Bulgarian armed forces have no alternative.
Defence Chief Admiral Eftimov said that the Hrabri is expected to be launched in early 2025. The acquisition of ammunition and of anti-aircraft systems has begun. Eftimov said that a negotiating team is drawn up and documents are exchanged with Italy for the acquisition of one submarine and possibly a second one.
Rear Admiral Mihailov added that integrated communication and navigation systems for the ships will be supplied. He said that the projects are running on schedule and that the manufacturers said that a large part of the equipment is ready or is being manufactured. Mihailov added that the Navy is working on the upgrade of the coastal surveillance system. The project is expected to be completed within a year and a half and the new systems will have expanded capabilities.
The acquisition of the patrol ships is one of three key armed forces modernization projects in Bulgaria together with the purchase of F-16 jet fighters for the Air Force and armoured vehicles for the Land Forces.
GNA
Credit: BTA