>Bulgaria Is Sending A Warship To Somalia

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Bulgaria will send a warship to Gulf of Aden according to Turkish maritime portal denizhaber.com.tr

The Koni class (Project 1159) frigate 11 Smeli (Valiant) will join the naval task forces combating piracy off the coast of Somalia. At the moment it is not clear whether the Bulgarian warship will join EU led Operation Atalanta or US led CTF-151.

I am quite surprised to see that an old ship such as Smeli will be send to the Indian Ocean instead of the newer Wielingen class frigates Drazki, Gordi or Verni. Smeli seems to have more life in her or the newer frigates are too valuable to be send for this mission.

Any additional information about her departure and her crossing the Turkish Straits is appreciated.