Bulgarian ex-Dutch minehunters to be repaired in 2021
Reponses to tender are due by 11 January
Two of the three Tripartite-class minehunters in service with the Bulgarian Navy are to undergo dock repairs.
Interested parties have until 11 January to respond to an EU-wide tender worth BGN666,666 ($414,000), issued by the Bulgarian MoD. The successful bidder will have 150 days to complete the work.
The vessels to be repaired and modernised (Mesta and Struma) were formerly in service with the Royal Netherlands Navy as Maassluis and Hellevoetsluis respectively, until they were transferred to Bulgaria, where the navy inducted them on 14 October 2020.
The cost of acquiring the vessels was only BGN4.69 million but another BGN3.92 million was spent on the reactivation and delivery of the vessels to Bulgaria.
Shephard Defence Insight notes that a further BGN2.94 million will be spent on retrofitting the ships.
The Bulgarian Navy operates one other Tripartite-class vessel (Tsibar, pictured) that was acquired from Belgium in 2007.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo]()
US Navy and Raytheon explore additional applications for Mk 58 CRAW torpedo
Designed as an anti-torpedo and anti-submarine capability, the USN and RTX foresee the Compact Rapid Attack Weapon’s potential for deployment from surface ships and aerial and uncrewed platforms.
-
![RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand]()
RTX Raytheon targets nearly 170% RAM production increase to meet global demand
The US multinational company is currently assembling 300 Rolling Airframe Missile rounds per year, with plans to reach 800 units annually after significant investment and modernisation of its facilities.
-
![Raytheon will develop an advanced naval sensing and targeting system for DARPA]()
Raytheon will develop an advanced naval sensing and targeting system for DARPA
RTX’s solution for DARPA’s Pulling Guard programme is intended to provide advanced maritime defence technologies to protect platforms against uncrewed surface vehicles and other threats.
-
![Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies]()
Spain’s F100 upgrade mirrors Aegis modernisation paths in allied navies
The Spanish Navy’s Alvaro de Bazan-class of air defence frigates will receive the latest Aegis Weapon System technology among other modernisations to extend the service life to 2045.
-
![UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns]()
UK’s Fleet Solid Support ship programme deemed on track despite steel supply concerns
Shipbuilders are saying the programme is going ahead on time as the government estimates 7.7 million tonnes of steel are needed for 2026 infrastructure projects.
