Second patrol vessel for Bulgaria enters production
A rendering of the Bulgarian MMPV based on the OPV-90 design. (Image: NVL Group)
The steel-cutting marks a traditional milestone in the building of a new ship.
Last week, NVL Group and its local partner MTG Dolphin began production of the second modular multipurpose patrol vessel (MMPV) for the Bulgarian Navy.
NVL Group is managing the production of two MMPVs for Bulgaria at the MTG Dolphin yard in Varna.
The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in Q3 of 2025, and the second will follow a year later, in 2026.
Related Articles
Keel laid for first Bulgarian Navy MMPV at MTG Dolphin
Bulgarian Navy Commander RAdm Kiril Mihaylov said: ‘This ship will give the opportunity to Bulgarian naval sailors to fulfil all tasks for defending national maritime interests and to successfully participate in allied operations and missions.‘
Based on the Lürssen OPV-90 design, the two vessels under the project will measure 90m long and displace 2,300t.
Shephard Defence Insight estimates the cost of each ship to be $236.5 million.
The MMPVs will replace obsolescent ex-Soviet vessels, including two Pauk II-class (Project 1241PE) anti-submarine corvettes and one Tarantul III-class (Project 1241.1M) corvette.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels (MMPV) (1-2) [Bulgaria]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant]()
Raytheon unveils details of its proposal for the US Navy/NATO ESSM Next Significant Variant
In an exclusive interview with Shephard, Raytheon’s VP of Shipboard Missiles disclosed what improvements the company plans to offer for the Sea Sparrow NSV.
-
![US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star’s 50-year service highlights capability gaps in Antarctica]()
US Coast Guard Cutter Polar Star’s 50-year service highlights capability gaps in Antarctica
Delays in the construction of the Polar Security Cutter – the future substitute for the Polar Star – are likely to prolong the ageing icebreaker’s service time even more, putting the USCG in a risky position.
-
![As Indonesia doubles up its order, who else is looking at the Arrowhead 140 frigate design?]()
As Indonesia doubles up its order, who else is looking at the Arrowhead 140 frigate design?
The adaptable design of Babcock’s Arrowhead 140 frigate, already selected by the UK Royal Navy and Poland, has led to more orders from Indonesia while other countries continue to weigh it up.
