Think Coastal defence...Cartography: Of the entire Bulgarian land aera, only 0,3% (2,390 km2) were of water (Rivers/Lakes). Coastlines: 354 km, a EEZ of 35,156 km2 claimed.
Personnal Strenght: 3400 (+ 7500 reserve)
4 Frigates
3 Drazki
(Drazki, Verni, Gordi). 2200 tons, 106+ meters (ex 1970's Belgian FFG). Transferred by 2004/2008.
1 Smeli
(Smeli). 1100/1900 tons, 95 meters (ex Russian Koni I frigate). Transferred by 1990.
5 or 6 Corvettes/Fast Attack Missile Crafts
2 Reshitelni
(Reshitelni, Bodri). 500/600 tons, 57 meters (ex Russian Pauk FAC). Transferred by 1989/1990.
1 Mulniya
(Mulniya). 480/550 tons, 56 meters (Russian Tarantul II FAC). Transferred by 1989.
2 or 3 Osa
(Uragon, Grum, a third craft ?). 180/210 tons, 38+ meters (ex Russian Osa FAC). Transferred by late 1970's/early 1980's. Now no longer ops.
5 Mine-Warfare ships
1 Tsibar
(Tsibar). 530/600 tons, 51+ meters (ex 1980's Belgian Tripartite MCM). Transferred by 2004.
4 Sonya (Briz, Priboj, Shkval, Shtorm). 450 tons, 48+ meters. Transferred by 1981/1984.
2 Amphibious
2 Polnocny A
(Sirius, Antares). 770+ tons, 73 meters. Transferred by 1986/1987.
Auxiliaries
1 Proteo (salvage ship/submarine tender)
(A 224). 1800+ tons, 75+meters (ex 1950's Italian ship). Transferred by 2004.
1 Bereza (Tender)
(Kapitan 1 Rang Dimitri Dobrev). 1800+ tons, 69+ meters. Commissioned by 1989.
BULGARIAN BORDER POLICE (included BULGARIAN BORDER GUARD (12 000)?)
14+ ? In Shore Patrol Vessels
3 FPB-21
(Varna, Burgas, Kabapha). 50 tons, 21 meters. Commissioned by 2003:2005.
9 Zhuk
35+ tons, 23+ meters (Russian built). Commissioned by 1980/1981
2 Vigilant
1+ tons, 8+ meters (US built). Commissioned by 1993.
Likely few others small crafts ?
BULGARIAN COASTAL ARTILLERY
Guns: 4 SM-4-1 (130mm), status unclear ?
Coastal Missile Battery: Few SS-C-1B Sepal and SS-C3 Styx (maybe unserviceable...)
BULGARIAN NAVAL AVIATION
Helicopters
- 7 Mi-14 Haze (to be replaced by 6 AS-565MB Panther)
- 3 AS-565 Panther
As usual, It may be that in my "fleet review", I forgot programs ? (or made few mistakes ?, especially for the auxiliary and smaller ships), then SAID IT ! Feel free to comment and give your opinion
Hi Mike!
ReplyDeleteHere's a few updates of the Bulgarian navy (from JFS 2009-2010):
Personnel: 2009: 4,140 (695 officers)
Reserves 10,000
Full load displacement of the three Drazki class (-ex Belgian Wielingen class) frigates reported as 2,430 tons. All three originally commissioned in 1978. Actual transfers occured 2005 (41 Drazki), 2008 (43 Gordi) and 2009 (42 Verni). All three modernized before transfer, and further modernization (incl. landing pad for helo) is planned for 2014.
Full load displacement and length for the two Reshitelni class (Pauk I) ASW corvettes reported as 440 tons and 59,5 meters resp. Pennant numbers 13 (Reshitelni) and 14 (Bodri).
Full load displacement for corvette 43 Mulnaya reported as 455 tons.
Three -ex German Neustadt class patrol boats are also operated by the Border Police. Built in 1970 they were transferred in 2002 (525 Sozopol) and in 2004 (526 Nesebar and 524 Balchik). F l displacement 218 tons and length 38,5 meters.
There are also six Vydra class LCU, built in Bulgaria in 1974-78, which were converted to minelayers in 1992-93. Fl displacement 550 tons and length 54,8 meters. Pennant numbers 703-708.
Actual transfer of the -ex Belgian Tripartite minehunter 32 Tsibar occured in 2009.
There are also the following survey vessels:
One project 861 Moma class survey ship 401 Admiral Branimir Ormanov built in 1977. Fl displacement 1580 tons and length 73,3 meters.
Two project 612 coastal survey vessels 231 and 331 built in 1986 and 1988 resp. Fl displacement 114 tons and length 26,7 meters.
There are also the following two support tankers:
One 303 Akin completed in 1994 with f l displacement 1250 tons and length 55,4 meters.
One project 102 Mesar class 302 Atiya built in 1987 with f l displacement 3240 tons and length 97,5 meters.
There are also the two project 245 diving tenders 223 and 323 built in the mid -80s. F l displacement 112 tons and length 27,9 meters.
There are also two type 215 torpedo recovery vessels with a f l displacement of 110 tons.
Only three Mil Mi-14PL Haze A ASW helicopters are operational.
Coast defence: One battalion with six truckmounted SS-C-3 Styx twin launchers.