Bulgaria could move to double its minehunter fleet
Through the acquisition of new platforms, upgrading existing forces and delving into the second-hand naval market, the Bulgarian Navy is attempting to improve its fleet within a budget that could yet suffer as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Bulgarian Navy could seek to acquire an additional three or four Tripartite-class mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) in the next three to five years, as part of an effort to modernise its fleet and move away from ageing Soviet-era platforms.
Currently, the Bulgarian Navy operates three of the Tripartite class acquired from European navies in the past 13 years. The first Tripartite MCMV, Tsibar (pictured), arrived from Belgium in 2007 with two additional vessels (Mesta and Struma) being obtained from the Netherlands in Q4 2020.
Shephard reported in December 2020 that the vessels acquired from the Netherlands will
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”]()
Future Canadian Continental Defence Corvette will provide “Halifax-equivalent capabilities”
Although the CDC project is still in its early stages, the Canadian Department of National Defence already has some requirements for the future platforms.
-
![US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection]()
US Navy to acquire micro-uncrewed underwater vehicles for ISR and coastal data collection
The Naval Supply Systems Command is seeking authorised resellers of JaiaBot uncrewed underwater vehicles and multivehicle pods. The platforms will support undergraduate education at the US Naval Academy.
-
![NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios]()
NATO tests use of “undetectable, jam-proof” laser communication in maritime scenarios
As part of its effort to better prepare its capabilities for operations in contested and congested scenarios, NATO evaluated a Lithuanian ship-to-ship terminal designed to not be susceptible to enemy interference.
-
![Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear]()
Future of the Canadian Patrol Submarine Project is still unclear
The Canadian government remains tight-lipped on the timeline and funding required for the next steps of its Canadian Submarine Patrol Project, which should offer improved capabilities for the country’s navy.
-
![Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection]()
Mitsubishi eyes future with Australia’s Mogami selection
With Australia’s selection of the Mogami-class for Project Sea 3000, Mitsubishi is investigating local production in the next decade as potential export opportunities emerge.
