Bulgaria Sold Its Submarine

21 Dec 2013 1 Comment

The Bulgarian Navy decommissioned its sole Romeo (Project 633) class BNS Slava in 2011 and terminated Bulgaria’s submarine force after 94 years.

According to BlackSeaNews website the decommissioned bulk of the former BNS Slava was sold to a private company for €355 thousand.

The closed bidding Bulgarian submarine “Hope” sold nearly 710 thousand leva (355 euros) with a starting price of BGN 480 thousand (240 thousand euros). Her new owner was a Bulgarian trading company Fintron Bulgaria.

Reported by Ukrinform citing Bulgarian information portal maritime.bg.

According to experts, obsolete underwater vessel in its current state is a scrap. It was sold without weapons and other special equipment. Therefore, if the new owners decide to use a submarine for exotic travel, it will have to invest in its renovation of approximately seven million leva (3.5 million euros).

The former Soviet submarine S-36 was built on the Gorky factory “Red Sormovo” the average torpedo submarine unit. Boat launched on September 27, 1959, commissioned September 30, 1960.June 27, 2008 she was taken out of the Navy in Bulgaria. In April 2009, “Hope” was formally transferred to Varna city authorities to build her museum. But the boat was just standing.

After the withdrawal of November 1, 2011 from the Bulgarian Navy last submarine “Slava” (with the same type it “Hope”), it was decided to create a museum on it, as it is in the best condition.

How will the new owner to use the submarine was not reported.

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Bulgaria Decommissions Her Last Submarine

2 Nov 2011 5 Comments

Bulgarian Navy servicemen at the ceremony for the retirement of the last operational Bulgarian submarine Slava. Photo by BGNES

Yesterday, just as expected and reported, the last submarine was decommissioned from Bulgarian Navy.

The decommissioning of Romeo (Project 633) class BNS Slava means the termination of Bulgaria’s submarine force after 94 years.

The Romeo class, derived from the German Type XXI submarine, by Soviet Union in 1950. BNS Slava was given to Bulgarian Navy in 1986. She is well beyond her useful life. If you look to the photo left you will see just standing on her rusty hull is alone an act of courage.

The ceremony was attended by Read Admiral Plamen Manushev, Commander-in-Chief of the Bulgarian Navy, navy servicemen, and veterans, reported BGNES.

The commander of the submarine division of the Bulgarian Navy Capt. Kamen Kukurov delivered the flag of the Slava submarine to the Varna Museum of Military History.

Even though in August 2009, the Bulgarian Navy had an open-door day dedicated to the 55 years since the restoration of its submarine force, a year later the Bulgarian Defense Minister said the Navy will most likely do away with itssubmarine unit, according to Defense Minister Anyu Angelov.

The life of the only operational Bulgarian submarine “Slava” (i.e. “Glory”) expired, and it is to be retired in the coming months which will mean shutting down altogether Bulgaria’s submarine force.

…

The only other Bulgarian submarine that was operation in the recent years was the Nadezhda (i.e. “Hope”); it has practically been retired for ten years because it lacks a battery. At the beginning of 2009, the Bulgarian Navy considered turning it into a museum.

Bulgaria used to operate 4 submarines at the height of  the Cold War.

I do not believe that submarines will be introduced to Bulgarian Navy in the near future given the economical constratins Bulgarian armed forces are facing.

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>Bulgaria Allows Women To Serve In Submarines And Decommissions It’s Sole Submarine

30 Oct 2010 1 Comment

>Bulgarian defense ministry allowed women to serve in submarine force but the Bulgarian parliament slammed the door as it decided to decommission the country’s only submarine.

The Romeo class (Project 633) class submarine, Slava was inoperational since 2000 anyway, and as reported earlier, she has been slated for decommissioning.

Bulgaria’s defence ministry on Thursday lifted a ban on women serving aboard submarines just as parliament decided to mothball the country’s only submarine.

“There is no such ban anymore,” Defence Minister Anyu Angelov told journalists, adding that women would be free to apply for jobs on submarines and in the national guard — which was also banned previously — as early as next month.

In effect, however, women wishing to serve on submarines will have no such opportunity, as parliament on Thursday also passed a plan to reform the armed forces that involved mothballing the nation’s lone sub.

Click here to read the original story.

H/T: Kobus

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>Bulgaria Will Cease Its Submarine Force

24 Jul 2010 1 Comment

>Bulgarian Defense Minister Anyu Angelov, stated that the life of the only operational Bulgarian submarine Slava has expired, and it will probably be retired in the coming months.

“Calling it a submarine force is too strong because any such unit must include at least two vessels. As you know, we have only one submarine. Its life has expired, and thus the submarine component of the Bulgarian Navy probably won’t exist any more,”

declared the Defense Minister according to novinite.com.

The decommissioning of Romeo (Project 633) class Slava will mean the termination of Bulgaria’s submarine force after 94 years.

Bulgaria is not the only Black Sea country that struggles to keep its submarines in operational condition. The Romanian submarine Kilo (Project 877E) class Delfinul has not been to the sea in the recent years. Ukraine’s sole submarine the Foxtrot (Project 641) class Zaporizya is in dry dock since last February and her operational status is douptful. There has been no public information released about Russian Kilo (Project 877) class Alrosa submarine after the fire in her engine room and her operational status is not clear.

Keeping submarines operational is a very costly business both in material and in personal aspects.

Currently, besides Turkey’s submarines in the Black Sea, there are no other submarines in operational status.

Photo by BGNES via novinite.com. H/T: Kobus

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A Submarine Sighted

25 Jul 2017

Type 209/1400 class submarine TCG Preveze passing southbound through Bosphorus

On 25 July 2017, a Turkish Navy, Preveze or Gür class submarine was sighted passing through Bosphorus.

Since Turkish Navy stopped painting the pennant number of the submarines on their hulls, it is impossible to identify each individual submarine anymore. While this new painting scheme helps the submarines to blend and prevents IR/FLIR/LLTV using trackers or electro-optic directors any high contrast target, it makes ship spotting difficult.

Last week TCG Preveze took part in naval exercise Breeze in Bulgaria while TCG Batıray took part in naval exercise Sea Breeze 2017 in Ukraine.

Since this is the first Preveze or Gür class submarine returning from the Black Sea and the only one recently reported to be deployed in the region, I think it is safe to say that this submarine is S-353 TCG Preveze.

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Bulgarian Naval Exercise Breeze 2017 Has Started

15 Jul 2017 2 Comments

Super Vita class fast attack craft, HS Anthypoploiarchos Ritsos passed through Turkish Straits to participate in Breeze 2017 naval exercise.

Naming of military operations and exercises has always been a controversial topic. So it does not help much when Bulgaria names the naval exercise as Breeze when there is Ukrainian – USA joint exercise called Sea Breeze. It is not easy to distinguish between them two. The timing of these exercises makes it even more difficult.

Breeze 2017 is the Bulgarian exercise. The warships participating to this exercise have gathered in Varna.The exercise started on 14 July 2017 and will end on 23 July.

The purpose of the exercise is to develop cooperation and interoperability by performing actual maritime training among the multinational forces in the Black Sea. Besides the host, Turkey, USA, England, Italy, Poland, Romania and Greece are participating After Bulgaria, Turkey has the second largest number of units taking part in the exercise.

Here is the list of the participants as far as I could find:

Number Name Type Nationality
S-343 TCG Preveze Submarine Turkey
P-330 TCG Kılıç Fast attack craft Turkey
P-1214 TCG Karadeniz Ereğli Patrol boat Turkey
F-241 TCG Yıldırım Frigate Turkey
D-37 HMS Duncan Destroyer UK
P-71 HS Anthypoploiarchos Ritsos Fast attack craft Greece

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Bulgaria Plans To Buy 2 New Warships In 6 Years Time

1 Apr 2016

42

Bulgarian frigate Verni. She is nearing her obsolescence. Here is a photo of her from 5 years ago

According to Sofia News Agency, Bulgarian defence minister Nikolay Nenchev announced that Bulgaria was planing to spend up to $477.80 million to procure two multi purpose warships.

The procurement cost, which comprises armaments, equipment and communication systems for the ships, could be one-third lower if the vessels were built in Bulgaria, Nenchev said during a visit to the Black Sea city of Varna on Thursday, according to a statement of the Defence Ministry.
…
“Within three-and-a half to six years the Navy will have two completed vessels,” Nenchev said.
The project will be submitted to Parliament in the next few days and the lawmakers are expected to approve it by the end of May, Nenchev added.
Preliminary talks have already been held with EU and NATO member states about potential acquisition of patrol ships, according to the statement.

It is the high time for Bulgaria to invest in new warships to protect her interests in the Black Sea.

The Bulgarian Navy has terminated its submarine service after 94 years and decommissioned her sole submarine in 2011. The 3 Wielingen class frigates and one Tripartite class mine hunter all bought from Belgium are the only new warships commissioned into naval service since the end of the Cold War. Thus around the year 2022 when the above mentioned two new warships are commissioned, the 3 Wielingen frigates Drazki, Verni and Gordi will be almost 45 years old.

I do not think Turkey’s burgeoning naval ship building industry despite its close geographical location will have much chance to win the bid for these ships. French, Dutch or German companies may have an advantage here.

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Bulgaria Hosts Breeze 2015 Naval Exercise

5 Jul 2015 2 Comments

TCG Enez (left) and TCG Barbaros (right) on their way to Varna. Both are taking part in Breeze 2015 exercise with NATO SNMCMG-2 task force.

TCG Enez (left) and TCG Barbaros (right) on their way to Varna. Both are taking part in Breeze 2015 exercise with NATO SNMCMG-2 task force.

Bulgaria is hosting Breeze 2015 naval exercise from 3 to 12 July 2015. According to Bulgarian minisry of Defence 30 warships from Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Turkey and USA will take part.
Bulgaian Navy will contribute with 15 combat and auxiliary ships and boats, two helicopters and more than 1,000 personnel.

The main objective of the exercise is to improve the interoperability and interaction between the Navy included therein countries by practicing their participation in Operation in response to the crisis. Nineteenth edition of “Breeze” will contribute to improving cooperation in multinational environment with 21 state organizations, institutions and agencies from four ministries, local authorities and non-governmental and private organizations. Within the exercise will obtain certification of a ship of the Navy the Republic of Bulgaria – mine hunter “Tsibar” according to the methodology for assessment of NATO MAREVAL. Host of “Breeze 2015” Point is basing Varna Naval Base – Navy. July 6 (Monday) at 15.00. To 18.00. Of foreign warships based at Port Varna and Port Varna will be open to the citizens and visitors.

 

As usual, I have tried to find information about the participants. This is the list as far as I could compiled.

Number Name Type Nationality
F-244 TCG Barbaros Frigate Turkey
M-262 TCG Enez Mine hunter Turkey
M-36 ESPS Tajo Mine hunter Spain
S-350 TCG Yıldıray Submarine Turkey
P-336 TCG Zıpkın Attack craft Turkey
F-334 NRP Francisco De Almeida Frigate Portugal
F-803 HNLMS Tromp Frigate Netherlands
DDG-78 USS Porter Destroyer USA
189 Pescarusul Attack craft Romania
32 BGS Tsibar Mine hunter Bulgaria
41 BGS Drazki Frigate Bulgaria
42 BGS Verni Frigate Bulgaria

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An Update On Submarines Of The Black Sea Navies

18 Jan 2014

The submarines are getting fashionable again by the navies of the Black Sea nations.

Well not every country is happy to have a silent service in its navy. Bulgaria its sole Romeo (Project 633) class BNS Slava in 2011 and sold her bulk in December 2013, effectively ending its submarine service after 94 years.

But Bulgaria is the exception. Ukraine has spent considerable amounts of money and time to get her only submarine a veteran Foxtrot (Project 641) class U-01 Zaporizya back in to service. This boat is in regular service since January 2013.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet has one active Kilo class (Project 877) diesel submarine, Alrosa (originally Varshavyanka) and one Tango class submarine Svyatoy Knyaz Georgiy. Though still listed as an active unit the status of the Svyatoy Knyaz Georgiy is dubious. This is why Russia is planning to add 6 new submarines to the BSF in the next couple of years. The first of these boats Novorossiysk is launched in November 2013 and is expected to enter into the Black Sea in July 2014.

According to Romanian website economica.net, Romanian Navy decided to modernize and reactive it’s only submarine Delfinul.  She is a Kilo class diesel submarine. She entered into service in 1986 and she has not been used since 1996.

The cost of reactivating the submarine is estimated between $20 – 30 million. It is also not clear whether the announcement of the Romanian Defense Minster in Contanta was just for a lip service or for real.

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The Ukrainian Submarine Is Back In Regular Service

27 Jan 2013 3 Comments

I am very much respecting all the efforts Ukrainian Navy is putting to maintain a submarine force. Given their limited resources and their dependence on foreign counties on some critical issues they could easily give up their silent service just like Bulgarians did, or the Danish. By giving up their silent service they could have saved important resources some of which might have been used to speed up the construction of their corvette. But no! The Ukrainians are determined to keep their silent service up and running even if it means using an almost obsolete 41-year-old submarine probably only limited to (or near) periscope depth.

According to Ukrainian Defence Ministry the sole Ukrainian submarine the Foxtrot (project 641) class diesel-electric submarine Zaporizya returned to regular service.

In Sevastopol held celebrations to mark the adoption of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” to combat fleet.

Congratulate Submariner with a significant event came to head the Center for Naval Operations Navy captain 1 rank Andrei Tarasov, veterans-submariners, sailors and family members of chefs – representatives Vilnyanskiy district administration of Zaporozhye region.

The celebrations began with the alignment of personnel and head to “Zaporozhye” Navy flag and flags roztsvichuvannya.

The commander of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” Captain 2 rank Robert Shahyeyev said that last year the crew at the same time was very difficult and responsible, but by the number of successful assignments.

– Last year, “Zaporozhye” took part in joint Ukrainian-Russian exercises “Fairway of Peace”, the sea trials out to sea and conducted a dive to periscope depth, and also participated in a joint celebration of Fleet of Ukraine and the Russian Navy Day in Sevastopol – said the commander of the submarine.

At the end of the crew members of a large submarine “Zaporozhye” and present guests were photographed together in memory.

Well, hats off to this remarkable success.

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