At an official ceremony held in Varna on December 8, the Bulgarian Navy raised its flag for the first time aboard Hrabri, the country’s new multifunctional modular patrol vessel. The event marked a landmark moment for Bulgaria’s defence sector and naval history.
Hrabri is the first of two patrol ships being built under the national project titled “Acquisition of a multifunctional modular patrol ship for the Navy.” The programme represents one of the most ambitious naval modernisation efforts undertaken by the country in decades.
The project was launched in 2020 with the signing of a contract between the Bulgarian Defence Ministry and German shipbuilder Fr. Lürssen Werft GmbH & Co. KG, later renamed NVL BV & Co. KG. The agreement placed strong emphasis on domestic production and technology transfer.
Construction of the first vessel officially began on December 3, 2021, at the MTG-Delfin ship repair and shipbuilding plant in Varna. The shipyard has since played a central role in the project, strengthening Bulgaria’s industrial and engineering capabilities.
Sea trials of the Hrabri were completed in November 2025 in Varna Bay and designated zones of the Black Sea. According to naval officials, the trials confirmed the vessel’s operational readiness and performance across a range of mission profiles.
Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov described the commissioning as a historic breakthrough for the Bulgarian Navy. He stressed that it marked the first time in more than a century that a new warship had been produced domestically for Bulgaria’s armed forces.
Zapryanov also pointed to broader European cooperation, saying Bulgaria expects approval from the European Commission for nine defence projects under the SAFE mechanism. Two of those projects involve acquiring additional missile systems for the new patrol ships.
The minister underlined that vessels like Hrabri are essential for safeguarding Bulgaria’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone in the Black Sea. He added that modern ships must be matched by well-trained naval personnel committed to national service.
Chief of Defence Admiral Emil Eftimov said the milestone reflected years of coordinated effort by state leaders, the Navy, international partners, and Bulgarian industry. He praised NVL and MTG-Delfin for delivering a complex project on schedule.
Eftimov noted that the programme is unique because it is being implemented at a domestic shipyard, helping preserve skilled engineering jobs and revitalise regional shipbuilding. He said the project offers a long-term vision for Bulgaria’s naval industry.
Linking the vessel to broader reforms, Eftimov pointed to parallel modernisation efforts across the armed forces. These include the arrival of the first F-16 fighter jets and the expected delivery of new combat vehicles for the Land Forces.
“The geopolitical importance of the Black Sea is growing,” Eftimov said, adding that Bulgaria must develop credible military capabilities to respond effectively to evolving regional security dynamics.
Bulgarian Navy commander Rear Admiral Kiril Mihailov highlighted the operational flexibility the Hrabri provides. He said the ship’s capabilities are suited both to current missions and to future threats in an increasingly unpredictable security environment.
Mihailov warned that Europe is living through complex and dangerous times, noting that conflict is now closer to Bulgaria’s borders than previously imagined. He stressed that the Navy must be prepared to defend national interests at sea.
With the commissioning of the Hrabri, Bulgaria signals a decisive step toward a modern, capable naval force. Officials say the vessel symbolizes renewed confidence in domestic defence production and a firm commitment to Black Sea security.
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