Bulgarian Navy

Bulgarian maritime strategy centers on the sovereignty of territorial waters and the management of the Exclusive Economic Zone within the Black Sea. National defense doctrine prioritizes maritime domain awareness and the protection of commercial shipping routes. As a member of NATO and the European Union, the navy integrates into collective defense structures, focusing on the security of the Alliance's eastern maritime flank and the prevention of regional maritime threats.

The surface fleet is organized around frigates and corvettes. Surface combatants include Wielingen-class frigates, which provide the bulk of the force's blue-water capability, alongside Pauk-class and Tarantul-class corvettes. Mine warfare assets are a priority for the force, maintained through Tripartite-class minehunters and smaller minesweeping vessels. The navy does not operate a submarine force, having transitioned to an exclusively surface and aviation-based structure. Naval aviation is provided by a squadron of AS565MB Panther helicopters utilized for maritime patrol, anti-submarine warfare, and search and rescue operations.

Domestic naval construction is centered at the MTG Dolphin shipyard in Varna, which serves as the primary site for the Multipurpose Modular Patrol Vessel (MMPV) program. This initiative, conducted in collaboration with the German NVL Group, involves the construction of two modular combatants designed for multi-domain operations. The lead ship, Hrabri, reached initial operational milestones in 2025, while the second vessel, Smeli, continued its construction and outfitting phases. These vessels are equipped with integrated combat management systems and launch cells for anti-ship and air defense missiles. Beyond new construction, the navy relies on foreign procurement for specialized assets, including recent acquisitions of mine countermeasures vessels from the Netherlands and Belgium.