The carp ceremony for the new Hrabri patrol boat of the Bulgarian Navy took place at the MTG Dolphin shipyard near Varna, in the presence of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Defense Minister Dobromir Zakov, Commander-in-Chief of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kirill Mikhailov.
With this ceremony, the shipbuilding actually began. Construction of a second patrol boat is scheduled to begin in early 2023.
President Radev said Bulgaria is returning to the map of warships. He added that the modern war requires the Bulgarian navy to have a wide range of capabilities.
In his speech, Minister Zakov said that there was no alternative but to accelerate the modernization and rearmament of the Bulgarian Armed Forces.
Admiral Eftimov said the Hrabri is expected to be launched in early 2025. The purchase of ammunition and anti-aircraft systems has already begun. He added that a negotiating team is being set up and documents are being exchanged with Italy on the possible purchase of a submarine and, possibly, a second one.
Rear Admiral Mikhailov added that the ships will be equipped with integrated communication and navigation systems. The program is on schedule and the manufacturers say that much of the equipment is already ready or under construction. Mikhailov said the Navy was working to upgrade its coastal surveillance system. The program is expected to be completed in a year and a half and the new systems will have expanded capabilities.
The acquisition of patrol boats is one of the three main plans to modernize the armed forces in Bulgaria. The other two are the purchase of F-16 fighter jets for the Air Force and armored vehicles for the ground forces.
Source: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ
Source: Capital
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