Bulgarian Navy’s Second Multipurpose Patrol Vessel ‘Smeli’ Launched
The second MMPV for the Bulgarian Navy was launched successfully at the MTG Dolphin Shipyard on December 12, 2024. Both multipurpose modular patrol vessels are being built in Varna under a €500 million contract signed by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense with the German NVL Group in November 2020.
The class-leading ship Hrabri has already been launched and is undergoing final outfitting. It is scheduled to start sea trials soon and be delivered to the Bulgarian Navy in 2025. The second ship, Smeli, will be delivered about a year after Hrabri.
Based on NVL’s proven design, the new Bulgarian patrol vessels have a displacement of 2,300 tons and dimensions of 90 meters in length and 13.5 meters in width. Designed to support a crew of up to 70 personnel, including flight staff, they are powered by a CODAD propulsion system with two diesel engines providing a range of 3,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 14 knots. Each vessel is also equipped with a hangar to accommodate a Eurocopter AS565MB Panther helicopter.
Contracts for the supply of weapons and electronic systems required to equip the ships have also been finalized. These include anti-ship missiles, surface-to-air guided missiles, guided torpedoes, multifunction radar, primary sensors, and combat management systems. At the same time, steps are being taken to acquire encryption systems for communications equipment through the US government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
Once commissioned, Hrabri and Smeli will replace the aging Soviet-era Pauk-class corvettes Resolute and Bodri and will enhance the Bulgarian Navy’s capacity to counter a wide range of targets in the Black Sea, including air, surface, and underwater threats. In addition to supporting national security, the new ships will also strengthen Bulgaria’s ability to participate in NATO and EU-led international alliance missions and contribute to collective defense efforts.