Bulgaria Begins Sea Trials of First New-Generation Patrol Vessel “Hrabri”
Bulgaria’s Navy has started sea trials of its first locally built modern patrol ship Hrabri, part of a €503 million deal with Germany’s NVL Group, marking a turning point in Bulgaria’s naval modernization.
The Bulgarian Navy has begun sea trials of Hrabri, its first new 90-meter Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel (MMPV 90), marking a major milestone in the country’s largest naval construction program to date. Built at the MTG Dolphin Shipyard in Varna under a 2020 contract with Germany’s NVL Group, the Hrabri will undergo tests of propulsion, electronic, and navigation systems in the Black Sea before entering service by the end of 2025.
The €503 million agreement with NVL Group—formerly Lürssen Defence—includes two ships, training, and logistics support. The second vessel, Smeli, launched ahead of schedule in 2024, is expected to be delivered in 2026. Both ships are based on NVL’s proven OPV-90 design and will replace Bulgaria’s aging Soviet-era corvettes.
With advanced sensors, Saab combat management systems, and modular mission capabilities, the new vessels will significantly boost Bulgaria’s ability to conduct NATO and EU maritime operations in the Black Sea. The program also involves extensive domestic industrial participation, positioning MTG Dolphin and local suppliers at the center of Bulgaria’s naval modernization effort.
