Keel laid for first Bulgarian Navy MMPV at MTG Dolphin
The keel-laying ceremony for the first Bulgarian Navy MMPV. (Photo: MTG Dolphin)
The keel has been laid for the first of Bulgaria’s two MMPVs, which are scheduled for delivery in 2025 and 2026.
On 17 June, the keel for the first Bulgarian Navy Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel (MMPV) was laid at the MTG Dolphin yard in Varna.
Based on the Lürssen OPV-90 design, the two vessels under the project will measure 90m long and displace 2,300t. The first keel block for the ship weighed 47t. Shephard Defence Insight estimates the cost of each ship to be $236.5 million.
A deal for the two vessels between the Bulgarian MoD and Germany's Lürssen Werft, which established a Bulgarian subsidiary called NVL, was reached in November 2020.
The ships are being built in Bulgaria by MTG Dolphin as a subcontractor to NVL Group.
During the ceremony, Bulgarian Navy Commander RAdm Kiril Mihaylov announced the first of the two MMPVs would inherit the name of the historical Bulgarian Navy torpedo boat Hrabri, meaning ‘brave’.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![UPDATED: The three boats in the running to be the Netherlands' next submarine]()
UPDATED: The three boats in the running to be the Netherlands' next submarine
Three European shipyards remain in contention to build four new submarines for the Royal Netherlands Navy.
-
![Secretive China enhances its SSBN fleet and weaponry]()
Secretive China enhances its SSBN fleet and weaponry
There is growing evidence that production of new nuclear-powered submarines is proceeding in China, as well as a startling declaration that new submarine-launched nuclear-tipped missiles are already in service.
-
![HII authenticates keel for Virginia-class submarine]()
HII authenticates keel for Virginia-class submarine
The keel authentication marks a key milestone in producing the future hunter-killer submarine.
