Bulgaria is arming itself – at sea as well
Bulgaria — for the first time in more than 100 years — has launched a newly built, domestically produced warship. The event clearly shows that the countries of the region increasingly feel threatened by Russia.
On December 8, 2025, Bulgaria commissioned its new, multi-purpose offshore patrol vessel (OPV) named Hrabri. This is, without exaggeration, a historic moment, as Bulgaria has not built its own warship for more than a century. According to the Bulgarian Minister of Defense, this day proves the modernization of the armed forces and the development of the Bulgarian defense industry. Military leaders say the world is becoming more dangerous, “the war is right next door, just around the corner,” which is why defense capabilities must be strengthened.
The ship is a medium-to-large, modern, well-armed patrol vessel — according to Polish commenters, it is the equivalent of Poland’s Ślązak, but with better armament, practically a corvette.
The new ship now serves in the Bulgarian Navy (Военноморски сили на България). The service operates exclusively in the Black Sea.
It is one of the branches of the Bulgarian Armed Forces and operates in the Black Sea. It has several patrol vessels, minesweepers, support ships, as well as naval helicopters. As Bulgaria is a member of NATO, its navy participates in joint exercises and Black Sea security operations. However, the fact remains that Bulgaria has the smallest fleet in the region. Prior to the commissioning of the new vessel, it consisted of 3 frigates, 3 corvettes, 1 fast attack craft and 1 landing-support ship (counting only operational warships over 500 tons). It is mainly suited for coastal defense; it does not possess significant power-projection capability, nor submarines, nor large surface combatants or aircraft carriers. The current step also serves to strengthen coastal defense capacity.
