Bulgarian ex-Dutch minehunters to be repaired in 2021
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
More from Naval Warfare
-
South Korea displays domestic technology capabilities with KSS-III submarine launch
Hanwha Ocean’s Jang Yeong-sil is the Republic of Korea Navy’s first 3,600t submarine and is the first of three boats in the military’s KSS-III programme.
-
ST Engineering Marine expands capacity, seeks regional partners for growth
The company could be looking to collaborate with other Asian nations as well as countries further afield as it pushes ahead with its shipyard expansion plans.
-
US Navy approaches the award of a follow-on contract for Aegis production
Naval Sea Systems Command intends to grant a production agreement for the Aegis Weapon System covering the FY2026-FY2030 period.
-
AUKUS update: Australian sovereignty is “paramount” as Trump declares “full steam ahead”
AUKUS has been under the spotlight this week as US President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had their first face-to-face meeting.
-
US Navy acquires additional Most Aggressive Features for Virginia-class submarines
A follow-on contract awarded to Collins covers the supply of up to eight MAFs to be delivered from 2027.
-
Singapore christens first Victory-class multi-role combat vessel
The new mothership’s modular design ensures it meets the navy’s needs for future situations in both war and peace.