The steel cutting ceremony to launch construction of the first Bulgarian Navy Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel took place at the newly built workshop of MTG Dolphin in Varna, Bulgaria on 3 December. (Bulgarian MoD)
German shipbuilder NVL Group (formerly Lürssen Werft) held a steel cutting ceremony for the first of two Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessels (MMPVs) on order for the Bulgarian Navy at the yard of its local shipbuilding partner MTG Dolphin in Varna, Bulgaria on 3 December.
The MMPVs are being built under a contract signed with NVL Group on 12 November 2020 valued at BGN820 million (USD473 million). The vessels are based on the NVL Group's OPV-90 model.
Under the contract terms, the first MMPV is expected to be handed over in the third quarter of 2025, followed by the second ship a year later.
The MMPV has a length of 90 m, a 13.5 m beam, and a displacement of 2,300 tonnes. Armament includes a 76 mm gun, four anti-ship missiles, eight anti-aircraft missiles in vertical launcher cells, a 35 mm close-in weapon station, and lightweight torpedoes. The integrated combat system is to be provided by Saab.
The vessels will be also fitted with a hangar and a deck for operating an AS 565MB Panther helicopter.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
