View source for Bulgarian Navy

{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Bulgarian Navy
| native_name                   = {{Nobold|Военноморски сили на Република България}}<br>{{lang|bg-Latn|Voennomorski sili na Republika Balgariya}}
| image                         = Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Ensign of the Bulgarian Navy
| start_date                    = {{nowrap|13 January 1899&nbsp;<br />({{Age in years and months|1899|01|13}})}}
| country                       = {{flag|Bulgaria}}
| branch                        = 
| type                          = Navy
| role                          = 
| size                          = 4,450 active personnel<ref name=IISS1>{{cite book| url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/the-military-balance-2023| title=The Military Balance 2023| author1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| author-link1=International Institute for Strategic Studies| date=15 February 2023| publisher=[[Routledge]]| location=[[London]]| page= 77| isbn=9781032508955}}</ref>
| command_structure             = [[Bulgarian Armed Forces]]
| garrison                      = [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]<br>[[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
| garrison_label                = 
| battles                       = [[First Balkan War]]<br>[[Second Balkan War]]<br>[[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]]<br>[[2011 military intervention in Libya]]<ref>{{cite web|last=Машева|first=Гергана|title=''Пращаме "Дръзки" да патрулира край Либия''|url=http://dnes.dir.bg/temite/news/boyko-borisov-kadafi-Mid-East-revolution-fregata-drazki-8250907?tag_id=108385|access-date=23 March 2011|date=21 March 2011|publisher=Dir.bg|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110814203547/http://dnes.dir.bg/temite/news/boyko-borisov-kadafi-Mid-East-revolution-fregata-drazki-8250907?tag_id=108385|archive-date=14 August 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828|title=Bulgaria's Drazki Frigate Ready to Set Sail for Libya|work=[[Standart (newspaper)|Standart]]|date=23 March 2011|access-date=26 March 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121006002806/http://paper.standartnews.com/en/article.php?d=2011-03-23&article=35828|archive-date=6 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://thesofiaecho.com/2011/03/30/1067837_bulgarian-frigate-on-its-way-to-libyan-coast |title=Bulgarian Frigate on Its Way to Libyan Coast |work=[[The Sofia Echo]] |date=30 March 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831014300/http://thesofiaecho.com/2011/03/30/1067837_bulgarian-frigate-on-its-way-to-libyan-coast |archive-date=31 August 2011}}</ref>
| anniversaries                 = 9 August
| website                       = {{url|navy.mod.bg/}}
<!-- Commanders -->| notable_commanders            = 
| commander1                    = {{flagicon image|Bulgarian Navy Rank Flag Commander of the Navy.svg}} [[Rear Admiral]] Kyril Yordanov Mikhailov
| commander1_label              = [[Commander of the Bulgarian Navy|Commander of the Navy]]
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = [[File:Naval Ensign of Bulgaria.svg|border|100px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Naval ensign
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Naval Jack of Bulgaria.svg|border|100px]]
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Coastguard Ensign of Bulgaria.svg|100px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Naval jack
| identification_symbol_3_label = Coast guard ensign
}}

The '''Bulgarian Navy''' ({{langx|bg|Военноморски сили на Република България|Voennomorski sili na Republika Balgariya|lit=Naval Forces of the Republic of Bulgaria}}) is the [[navy]] of the [[Republic of Bulgaria]] and forms part of the [[Military of Bulgaria|Bulgarian Armed Forces]]. 

The [[Principality of Bulgaria]] established its navy soon after its creation, in 1879, to operate on the [[Danube]] river and the [[Black Sea]], but the young country could spend only limited resources on warships. In the conflicts of the 20th century in which Bulgaria was involved - the [[Balkan Wars]], [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], the navy played a limited role, mainly protecting Bulgarian harbors and shipping. Its greatest combat feat was a successful torpedo attack against an Ottoman cruiser during the First Balkan War that nevertheless didn't sink it.

In the aftermath of World War II, the [[People's Republic of Bulgaria]] was a part of the [[Eastern Bloc]] and the navy was reorganized and supplied with [[Soviet Union|Soviet]]-made equipment. It participated in various [[Warsaw Pact]] naval exercises, but took no part in any military operations. The navy reached its peak, in both materiel and personnel, in the late 1980s, but even then its most powerful ships were [[frigate]]s and [[destroyer]]s.

After the fall of the Soviet Union and Bulgaria's communist regime, all Bulgarian armed forces fell in decline due to their reduced relevance, and the economic crisis of the 1990s limited the resources that could be set aside for their modernization. The Navy was no exception. After a period of negotiations and reforms in order to comply with [[NATO]] standards, Bulgaria was admitted in the alliance in 2004. Since then, the Navy has acquired and operates a small number of relatively modern vessels.

Since the 1940s, the Bulgarian Navy has two main bases, each near one of the two major commercial port cities in the country - [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] and [[Burgas]] (by the village of [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]).

==Operational history==
[[File:Крейсер Надежда в Варне.jpg|thumb|left|{{ship|Bulgarian torpedo gunboat|Nadezhda}}]]
[[File:Naval Museum, Varna 2017 06.jpg|thumb|left|''Drazki'' as a museum ship on static display in [[Varna, Bulgaria]]]]

===First Balkan War===
The Bulgarian Navy's first combat action was the [[Battle of Kaliakra (1912)|1912 Battle of Kaliakra]] during the [[First Balkan War]], when four Bulgarian [[torpedo boat]]s attacked the Ottoman [[cruiser]] [[Ottoman cruiser Hamidiye|''Hamidiye'']]; {{ship|Bulgarian torpedo boat|Drazki}} managed to score a hit, forcing ''Hamidiye'' to retreat back to Istanbul for emergency repairs.

===Second Balkan War===
{{See also|Romanian landings in Bulgaria}}
The Bulgarian Navy [[Scuttling|scuttled]] its four Danube [[gunboat]]s during the [[Second Balkan War]], probably to avoid capture by the invading [[Romanian Army]].<ref>Spencer Tucker, Priscilla Mary Roberts,''World War I: A Student Encyclopedia'', p. 391</ref> The four gunboats were 400-600-ton vessels, with a top speed of {{convert|11|kn|lk=in}} and armed with two-to-four {{convert|75|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} guns and two-to-four {{convert|47|mm|in|abbr=on}} guns. They were still present on the Bulgarian Navy list in August 1916.<ref>Raymond Stănescu, Cristian Crăciunoiu, ''Marina română în primul război mondial'', Modelism Publishing, 2000, p. 55</ref>

===World War I===
When Bulgaria entered [[World War I]] in 1915, its navy consisted mainly of a French-built torpedo gunboat called ''Nadezhda'' and six torpedo boats. It mainly engaged in [[Naval mine|mine warfare]] actions in the [[Black Sea]] against the Russian [[Black Sea Fleet]] and allowed the Germans to station two [[U-boat]]s at [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]], one of which came under Bulgarian control in 1916 as ''[[SM UB-8#Bulgarian career|Podvodnik No. 18]]''. Russian mines sank one Bulgarian torpedo boat and damaged one more during the war.<ref>Spencer Tucker, Priscilla Mary Roberts, ''Encyclopedia of World War I, Volume 1'', p. 240</ref>

===World War II===
The Bulgarian Navy during [[World War II]] supported the [[Axis Powers]] in the Black Sea and consisted mainly of four obsolete ''Drazki''-class torpedo boats, five modern ''Lurrsen'' type motor torpedo boats and three formerly Dutch motor torpedo boats. Bulgaria and the Soviet Union were not at war with each other, but there was still little naval fighting with Soviet submarines operating in Bulgarian waters, its main action taking place in October 1941.<ref>Spencer Tucker, ''World War II at Sea: An Encyclopedia, Volume 1'', pp. 131-132</ref>
 
The so-called ''Operation Varna'' consisted in the [[minelaying]] of the Bulgarian coast by the Romanian minelayers {{ship|NMS|Amiral Murgescu||2}}, ''[[NMS Regele Carol I|Regele Carol I]]'' and ''Dacia'', escorted by Romanian {{sclass2|250t|torpedo boat|2}} ''[[NMS Năluca|Năluca]]'', ''[[NMS Sborul|Sborul]]'' and ''[[NMS Smeul|Smeul]]'', Romanian gunboats {{ship|NMS|Sublocotenent Ghiculescu||2}} and ''Căpitan Dumitrescu'' and Bulgarian torpedo boats {{ship|Bulgarian torpedo boat|Drazki||2}}, ''Smeli'' and ''Hrabri''.<ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 4: Germany Sends Russia to the Allies'', p. 323</ref> The operation, lasting between 7 and 16 October 1941, was largely successful, as despite the loss of the Romanian auxiliary minelayer ''Regele Carol I'' to a Soviet mine,<ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 4: Germany Sends Russia to the Allies'', p. 324</ref> the five minefields laid by the Romanian minelayers along the Bulgarian coast are credited with the sinking of four Soviet submarines: ''[[Soviet S-class submarine|S-34]]'', ''[[Leninets-class submarine|L-24]]'', ''[[Shchuka-class submarine|Shch-211]]'' and ''[[Shchuka-class submarine|Shch-210]]'', although the latter could have also been sunk by German aircraft or [[depth-charge]]d by the Bulgarian patrol boats ''Belomorets'' and ''Chernomorets''.<ref>Mikhail Monakov, Jurgen Rohwer, ''Stalin's Ocean-going Fleet: Soviet Naval Strategy and Shipbuilding Programs 1935-1953'', pp. 265-266</ref>

On 6 December 1941, ''Belomorets'' and ''Chernomorets'' [[Action of 6 December 1941|depth-charged and sank]] the Soviet submarine ''Shch-204''.<ref>Antony Preston, ''Warship 2001-2002'', p. 88</ref>

Soviet submarines also laid mines near the Bulgarian coast. The 2304-ton Bulgarian steamer ''Shipka'' ("Шипка", also transliterated ''Chipka'') was sunk off [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] in September 1941 by mines laid by the submarine ''L-4''.<ref>Donald A Bertke, Gordon Smith, Don Kindell, ''World War II Sea War, Volume 4: Germany Sends Russia to the Allies'', p. 260</ref>

On 19 May 1943, the Bulgarian torpedo boat ''Smeli'' foundered between Varna and Burgas during a storm.

Any hostilities ended when Bulgaria [[Military history of Bulgaria during World War II#Allies and Soviet occupation|changed sides]] and joined the Allied powers in September 1944.

=== Cold War ===
In line with Soviet naming practices the navy of the [[Bulgarian People's Army]] was called the Military-Maritime Fleet ({{langx|bg|Военноморски флот, ВМФ}}). The merchant marine, which was to mobilize in wartime in support of the regular navy was called Bulgarian Sea Fleet ({{langx|bg|Български морски флот, БМФ|label=none}}).

In the 1970s the Burgas Naval Base relocated to [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]] with a corresponding change in name.

The Naval Fleet Staff was located in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_flot_3|title=Вимпел|date=24 Nov 2017}}</ref>

=== Post Warsaw Pact ===
The [[Bulgarian Communist Party]] was forced to give up its political monopoly on 10 November 1989 under the influence of the [[Revolutions of 1989]]. With the restoration of freedom from the [[Warsaw Pact]] entanglement, it became a member of [[NATO]] in 2004,<ref name="nato">{{cite web |url=http://www.nato.int/docu/update/2004/03-march/e0329a.htm|title=NATO Update: Seven new members join NATO|publisher=NATO|date=29 March 2004|access-date=20 December 2011}}</ref> and after several years of reforms, it joined the [[European Union]] and the [[European Single Market|single market]] in 2007, despite EU concerns over government corruption.<ref name="Ind">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/the-big-question-with-romania-and-bulgaria-joining-the-eu-how-much-bigger-can-it-get-430061.html|title=The Big Question: With Romania and Bulgaria joining the EU, how much bigger can it get?|newspaper=[[The Independent]]|first=Steven|last=Castle|date=29 December 2006|access-date=14 September 2018}}</ref>

In order to meet some of the NATO requirements, the Bulgarian government purchased a {{sclass|Wielingen|frigate}} from Belgium in 2005. ''Wandelaar'' (F-912), built in 1977, was renamed to ''Drazki''. That same year the Bulgarian frigate ''Smeli'' took part as a full NATO member for the first time in [[Operation Active Endeavour]]. In 2006, following a decision of the [[National Assembly (Bulgaria)|Bulgarian National Assembly]], ''Drazki'' deployed as part of the United Nations Interim Forces in Lebanon ([[UNIFIL]]), patrolling the territorial waters of Lebanon under German command. This was the first time the Bulgarian Navy took part in an international peacekeeping operation. The Bulgarian government purchased two more ''Wielingen''-class frigates and one {{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter}} in 2007.

On 21 July 2020 took place the official inauguration of the Maritime Coordination Center in Varna. This was an important step towards greater NATO and regional cooperation in the Black Sea region.<ref name="ofuse">{{cite news |title=Official Inauguration of the Maritime Coordination Center in Varna |url=https://bg.usembassy.gov/official-inauguration-of-the-maritime-coordination-center-in-varna/ |publisher=U.S. EMBASSY IN BULGARIA |date=21 July 2020}}</ref>

==Command structure in 1989==
=== Directly subordinate to Naval Staff ===
* Electronic Warfare Section (Отделение РЕБ)
** Independent Electronic Warfare Battalion type "NS" (Отделен батальон тип "НС") (one company type N for jamming of enemy communications and one company type S for jamming of enemy targeting systems)
* 8th Submarine Division, Varna Naval Base, with 4x [[Romeo-class submarine]]s (Afterwards two were decommissioned without replacement in 1990, one in 1992, and the last one in 2011.)
** '''81''' ''Pobeda'' (Победа, "Victory", delivered in 1972, former Soviet S-57), '''82''' ''Victoria'' (Виктория, delivered in 1972, former Soviet S-212), '''83''' ''Nadezhda'' (Надежда, "Hope", delivered in 1983, former Soviet S-36), '''84''' ''Slava'' (Слава, "Glory", delivered in 1985, former Soviet S-38) (traditional female names)
* '''2nd Coastal Missile Brigade''', south of Varna, with [[P-15 Termit|4K51 Rubezh]] anti-ship missiles
* '''10th Missile & Torpedo Boat Brigade''', in [[Sozopol]] (mixed composition of the divisions, the torpedo boats had the dual role to attack enemy vessels with their torpedoes and to provide target acquisition for the missile boats)
** '''122''' (Commander's cutter, 10-ton Soviet project 371)
** 10th Missile & Torpedo Boat Division
***[[Osa-class missile boat|Project 205]] missile boats: '''101''' ''Svetkavitsa'' (Светкавица, "Lightning", delivered in 1982, former Soviet R-496, improved project 205U); '''102''' ''Uragan'' (Ураган, "Hurricane", delivered in 1977, former Soviet R-169, improved project 205U); '''103''' ''Burya'' (Буря, "Storm", delivered in 1971, former Soviet R-176?, basic project 205)
***[[Shershen-class torpedo boat|Project 206]] torpedo boats: '''104''' ''Orel'' (Орел, "Eagle"), '''105''' Yastreb (Ястреб, "Hawk"), '''106''' ''Albatros'' (Албатрос)
** 11th Missile & Torpedo Boat Division
*** Project 205 missile boats: '''111''' ''Tayfun'' (Тайфун, "Typhoon", delivered in 1982, former Soviet R-496, improved project 205U); '''112''' ''Gram'' (Гръм, "Thunder", delivered in 1977, former Soviet R-169, improved project 205U); '''113''' ''Smerch'' (Смерч, "Whirlwind", delivered in 1971, former Soviet R-176?, basic project 205)
*** Project 206 torpedo boats : '''114''' ''Bars'' (Барс, "[[snow leopard]]"), '''115''' ''Yaguar'' (Ягуар, "Jaguar"), '''116''' ''Pantera'' (Пантера, "Panther")
** Coastal Base Sozopol (Брегова база Созопол, the brigade's logistic formation)
*** '''274''' (fireboat project 364 of Soviet build)
* 25th Signals Regiment, in Varna
* 63rd Anti-submarine Helicopter Squadron, at Chayka Independent Naval Helicopter Base in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] (in the Chayka suburb), flying 8x [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14PL]] anti-submarine helicopters (nr. '''801''', and nr. '''810''' of the original ten were lost), 1 x [[Mil Mi-14|Mi-14BT]] (nr. '''811'''; nr. 812 had been retired in 1986 and the minesweeping equipment removed from 811. Afterwards nr. 811 was used for transport tasks) and 1 x [[Kamov Ka-25|Ka-25C]] (Hormone-B, nr. '''821''', used for OTH targeting of the shore-based AShM systems).
* 65th Maritime Special Reconnaissance Detachment (65-ти Морски Специален Разузннавателен Отряд (65ти МСРО)), in Varna (Tihina) (Navy frogmen)
* 130mm Coastal Artillery Training Battery, in Varna (in wartime the navy would mobilize the 1st (Varna) and 2nd (Burgas) Coastal Artillery Regiments with 5 batteries each)
* [[Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy|People's Higher Naval School]] "[[Nikola Vaptsarov]]", in Varna
* 44th Surveillance and Signals Battalion - [[Danube|Danube River]], in [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]] (44-ти батальон за наблюдение и свръзки - река Дунав) (Radar and [[SIGINT]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://polk.dartek.bg/index.php/voenna-istoriya-na-ruse/voenni-formirovaniya-v-ruse|title=List of the military units in Ruse from 1879 to date|date=18 November 2017|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref>
* Rear (Тил) (logistic services)

=== Varna Naval Base ===
* '''Varna Naval Base''', in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
** 2 commander's cutters of Project 371
** 1st Anti-Submarine Ships Division
*** [[Riga-class frigate|Riga-class]] frigates: '''11''' ''Drazki'' (Дръзки, "daring, bold", delivered in 1957, former Soviet [[Black Sea Fleet]] SKR-67), '''12''' ''Smeli'' (Смели, "Brave", delivered in 1958, former Black Sea Fleet SKR-53, replaced on Sept 4 1989 by the [[Koni-class frigate]] '''11''' "Brave", this caused renumbering of the Riga-class ships, but they were retired only a year later), '''13''' ''Bodri'' (Бодри, "Cheerful", delivered in 1985, former Soviet Baltic Fleet SKR "Kobchik")
*** [[Poti-class corvette|Poti-class]] small [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] ships: '''14''' ''Hrabri'' (Храбри, "Brave", delivered in 1975, former Soviet MPK-106), '''15''' ''Bezstrashni'' (Безстрашни, "Fearless", delivered in 1975, former Soviet MPK-125)
** 3rd Minesweepers Division
*** '''31''' ''Iskar'' (Искър, after the [[Iskar (river)|river]]), '''32''' ''Tsibar'' (Цибър), '''33''' ''Dobrotich'' (Добротич, after [[Dobrotitsa|the medieval ruler]]), '''34''' ''[[Captain-lieutenant|Kapitan-Leytenant]] Kiril Minkov'' (Капитан-лейтенант Кирил Минков), '''35''' ''Kapitan-Leytenant Evstati Vinarov'' (Капитан-лейтенант Евстати Винаров), '''36''' ''Kapitan I Rang Dimitar Paskalev'' (Капитан I-ви ранг Димитър Паскалев) (minehunters project 257D/DME, Soviet second hand, NATO reporting name [[Vanya-class minesweeper|Vanya]])
** 5th Minesweepers Division (Coastal Base [[Balchik]])
*** '''51''' - '''56''' (minehunters of project 1259.2 project "[[Malachite]]", NATO reporting name Olya, built in [[Tsarevo|Michurin]]), 2 auxiliary cutters of project 501 (former auxiliary minesweeping boats) and a commander's cutter of project 371
** 18th Independent Division of Special Purpose Ships (former 18th Harbour Area Security Ships, includes supply, rescue and support ships and small patrol craft)
*** '''300''' ''General [[Vladimir Zaimov]]'' (Генерал Владимир Заимов) (Command ship Bulgarian project 589, built in [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]], also used for [[Signals intelligence|SIGINT]] of the [[Turkish Naval Forces|Turkish Navy]])
*** '''221''' ''Yupiter'' (Юпитер, "[[Jupiter]]") ([[East Germany|East German]] fire-/ tugboat project 700, used as fireboat, salvage tugboat, submarine rescue ship and target tow for the coastal artillery and ships)
*** '''401''' ''Admiral Branimir Ormanov'' (Адмирал Бранимир Орманов) (Polish project 861-МВ hydrographic ship, built in 1977)
*** '''206''' ''Kapitan I Rang Dimitar Dobrev'' (Капитан І ранг Димитър Добрев) (Polish project 1799 (class 130 for the Soviet Navy) [[Degaussing|degaussing ship]], built in 1988, the modern [[Polish Navy]] ship [[ORP Kontradmirał Xawery Czernicki]] is a development on the same hull type)
*** '''311''' ''Anton Ivanov'', later ''Mitsar'' and ''Anlain'' ("Антон Иванов", "Мицар", "Анлайн", Auxiliary transport (replenishment) ship Bulgarian project 102, built in [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]] in 1979, main task was to provide en route replenishment for the Bulgarian ships, committed to the [[Soviet Navy]] Operational Mediterranean Squadron)
*** '''223''' (diving support boat Bulgarian project 245, built in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] in 1980)
*** '''121, 215''' and '''216''' (multirole motor cutters Bulgarian project 160, built in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]])
*** 1 fireboat type L26, pennant number changed several times (built in Rostock, GDR in 1954-55)
*** '''218''' and '''219''' (auxiliary cutters, former minesweeping boats type R376 "Sever")
** 55th Surveillance and Signals Battalion (55-ти батальон за наблюдение и свръзки) (Radar and [[SIGINT]])
** Repair Workshop
** Shore based support units

=== Atia Naval Base ===
* '''[[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]] Naval Base''', east of [[Burgas]] 
** 2 commander's cutters of project 371
** 4th Small Anti-Submarine Ships Division
*** [[Poti-class corvette|Poti-class]] small [[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]] ships: '''41''' ''Letyashti'' (Летящи, "flying"; delivered in 1982, former Soviet MPK-77), '''42''' ''Bditelni'' (Бдителни, "Vigilant"; delivered in 1982, former Soviet MPK-148), '''43''' ''Naporisti'' (Напористи, "persistent, assertive"; delivered in 1982, former Soviet MPK-109), '''44''' ''Strogi'' (Строги, "stern, rigorous"; delivered in 1975 to Varna, transferred in 1982 to Burgas, former Soviet MPK-59)
** 6th Minesweepers Division
*** '''61''' ''Briz'' (Бриз, "breeze"), '''62''' ''Shkval'' (Шквал, "squall"), '''63''' ''Priboy'' (Прибой, "surf"), '''64''' ''Shtorm'' (Щорм, "sea storm") (minehunters project 1265 "[[Ruby|Yakhont]]")
*** '''65''', '''66''', '''67''', '''68''' (minesweepers project 1258E "Korund", NATO reporting name [[Yevgenya-class minesweeper|Yevgenya]])
** 7th Landing Ships Division
*** '''701''' "[[Sirius]]" (''"Сириус"'') and '''702''' "[[Antares]]" (''"Антарес"'') (Polish project 770Е medium tank landing ships, NATO reporting name [[Polnocny-class landing ship|Polnocny]])
*** '''703''' - '''712''' (Soviet project 106K small tank landing ship and auxiliary minelayers, practically self-propelled landing barges, built in [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]] and [[Burgas]], NATO reporting name [[:ru:Малые десантные корабли проекта 106|Vydra]])
*** (another 14 project 106K small tank landing ships and auxiliary minelayers mothballed after construction and stored by Bulgarian Sea Fleet (the state-owned merchant marine) as wartime mobilization stock)
** 96th Independent Division of Special Purpose Ships (former 96th Harbour Area Security Ships, includes supply, rescue and support ships and small patrol craft)
*** '''301''' ''Kapitan Kiril Halachev'' ("Капитан Кирил Халачев") (Command ship Bulgarian project 589, built in [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]])
*** '''302''' ''Atiya'' (Атия; auxiliary transport (replenishment) ship Bulgarian project 102, built in [[Ruse, Bulgaria|Ruse]] in 1987, main task was to provide en route replenishment for the Bulgarian ships, committed to the [[Soviet Navy]] Operational Mediterranean Squadron)
*** '''323''' (diving support boat Bulgarian project 245, built in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] in 1980)
*** '''331''' (torpedo salvage boat Bulgarian project 205, built in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]] in 1980)
*** '''312''' and '''313''' (multirole motor cutters Bulgarian project 160, built in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]])
*** 1 fireboat type L26, pennant number changed several times (built in Rostock, GDR in 1954-55)
*** '''57''' and '''58''' (auxiliary cutters, former minesweeping boats type R376 "Sever")
** 66th Surveillance and Signals Battalion (66-ти батальон за наблюдение и свръзки) (Radar and [[SIGINT]])
** Coastal Radiolocation Station "Periscope I" ([[ELINT]] unit)
** Repair Workshop
** Shore based support units

==== Naval Equipment ====
In 1989 the people's navy's inventory consisted of:

* 4x [[Romeo-class submarine|Romeo-class]] submarines (all decommissioned with last in 2011)
* 3x [[Riga-class frigate|Riga-class]] frigates (One decommissioned in 1989, two in 1990)
* 1x [[Koni-class frigate|Koni-class]] frigate (Commissioned in December 1989)
* 6x [[Poti-class corvette|Poti-class]] [[anti-submarine warfare]] [[corvette]]s
* 1x [[Pauk-class corvette|Pauk-class]] corvette (Commissioned in 1989, a second Pauk-class corvette was transferred from the Soviet Union in 1990)
* 6x [[Osa-class missile boat|Osa-class]] missile boats
* 6x [[Shershen-class torpedo boat|Shershen-class]] torpedo boats
* 2x [[Polnocny-class landing ship|Polnocny-class]] landing ships
* 6x [[Vanya-class minesweeper|Vanya-class]] minesweepers
* 4x [[Yevgenya-class minesweeper|Yevgenya-class]] minesweepers
* 4x [[Sonya-class minesweeper|Sonya-class]] minesweepers
* 6x Olya-class minesweepers
* 34x R376 type "Yaroslavets" axillary cutters in various configurations

== Structure ==
[[File:Bulgaria Naval Forces 2018.png|270px|thumb|Structure of the Naval Forces 2018 (click to enlarge)]]
[[File:Verni and Tsezar' Kunikov in Varna, 2009.jpg|270px|thumb|The Bulgarian fleet in [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]]]
[[Image:BNS Westdiep at Zeebrugge.jpg|275px|right|thumb| The ''Wielingen''-class frigate ex-''Westdiep'', now BGS ''Gordi'']]

* '''Naval Forces Command''', [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
** Naval Forces Staff
** Naval Operations Center
** Coastal Fundamental System for CIS Support
** Coastal Information Detachment
** Independent Electronic Surveillance Detachment
** Command, Control and Communications Units
** Naval Base Command
*** Naval Base Staff
*** Naval Base Location [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
*** Naval Base Location [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
*** Repair and Maintenance Center
*** Armament and Equipment Storage 
*** Ship Divisions
**** 1st Patrol Ships Division
**** 3rd Mine Counter-Measure Division
**** 4th Patrol Ships Division
**** 6th Mine Counter-Measure Division
**** 18th Support Ships Division
**** 96th Support Ships Division
*** 2nd Coastal Anti-Ship Missile and Artillery Battalion
** Independent Naval Helicopter Air Base ''"Chayka"''
** 63rd Naval Special Forces Reconnaissance Detachment ''"Black Sea Sharks"''
** Hydrographical Service of the Naval Forces
** Equipment Storage Base of the Naval Forces
** Military Police Company of the Naval Forces Command

A "Division" is the equivalent of land forces battalion or air force squadron as the Bulgarian Navy follows the Russian naval tradition, according to which an "Operational Squadron" or "Оперативная эскадра" is a temporary formation, an equivalent of a land forces division and in modern times a "Squadron" of the Russian Navy is an equivalent of a land forces corps.

According to the reform plans envisioned in the White Paper on Defence 2010, the two naval bases would be merged into one with two base facilities in Varna and Burgas. The manpower of the Navy would account to about 3,400 seamen. The ordered [[Eurocopter AS565 Panther|Eurocopter AS565 MB Panther]] helicopters were reduced from six to three units. Between 2011 and 2020 the naval "Longterm Investment Plan" should come into action, providing the sea arm of the Bulgarian military with modernised ships and new equipment.

== Ships ==
The list does not include vessels assigned to the border police. The Bulgarian Navy has inherited the Soviet tradition of "[[Glossary of nautical terms (A–L)#board|board]] numbers" ({{langx|bg|бордови номер|bordovi nomer}}), which means that unlike [[pennant numbers]] and [[hull classification symbols]], they do not identify uniquely a vessel during its lifetime – for example, a ship can change numbers when it's transferred to another unit, and new ships reuse the numbers of old ones in the same unit.

In November 2020, the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense signed a contract with [[Lürssen]] Werft Germany to build two patrol boats for the Bulgarian Navy. The boats will be built by the Bulgarian MTG Dolphin shipyard in Varna and delivered in 2025 and 2026 with the 984M lev (approximately €503M) price also including training.

{| class="wikitable"
! Class
! Photo
! Name
! Type
! Origin
! Division
! Naval Base 
! Notes
|-
! colspan="8" |[[Frigate|Frigates]] (3)

|-
!rowspan="3"| {{sclass|Wielingen|frigate|5}}
|rowspan="3"| [[File:Bulgarian frigate Verni (42) in the Black Sea in July 2015.JPG|frameless|200px]]
| [[Bulgarian frigate Drazki|''Drazki'']] (41) (Дръзки - Daring)
|rowspan="3"| Multi-Role Frigate
|rowspan="3"| {{BEL}}
|rowspan="3"| 4th Patrol Ships Division
|rowspan="3"| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
| rowspan="3" | ex-Belgian frigate {{ship|Belgian frigate|Wandelaar|F912|2}}<ref name="vimpel.boinaslava_a">{{cite web|title=Фрегата тип E-71 "Wielingen"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_druzki_F912|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| [[Bulgarian frigate Verni|''Verni'']] (42) (Верни - Loyal)
|-
| [[Bulgarian frigate Gordi|''Gordi'']] (43) (Горди - Proud)

|-
! colspan="8" |[[Corvette|Corvettes]]/[[Patrol vessels]] (4) + 2 on order

|-
!rowspan="2"| MMPV 90
|rowspan="2"| [[File:Hrabri.jpg|frameless|200x200px]]
| Hrabri(12)
(Храбри - Valorous) 
|rowspan="2"| [[Offshore patrol vessel]]
|rowspan="2"| {{DEU}}<br>{{BGR}}
| 1st Patrol Ships Division 
| TBD
|rowspan="2"| Based on [[Darussalam-class offshore patrol vessel]]. To be delivered by [[Lürssen]] Werft in 2025 and 2026. The ships will be armed with an [[OTO  Melara 76 mm]], [[RBS 15]], [[MICA (missile)|MICA VL]], [[Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun|Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium]], [[Multi Ammunition Softkill System]] and [[A244-S|Leonardo A.244/S]] torpedoes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-09 |title=Steel cutting ceremony for the MMPV project » MTG DOLPHIN |url=https://www.dolphin1.bg/en/news/steel-cutting-ceremony-for-the-mmpv-project/ |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=MTG DOLPHIN |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Corvettes - Naval vessels {{!}} NVL |url=https://nvl.de/en/naval-vessels/corvettes |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=nvl.de}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-18 |title=С колко ще поскъпнат новите кораби? МО започва да ги въоръжава |url=https://www.mediapool.bg/s-kolko-shte-poskapnat-novite-korabi-mo-zapochva-da-gi-vaorazhava-news334685.html |access-date=2023-07-14 |website=Mediapool.bg |language=bg-BG}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Bulgaria’s First Modern Corvette Launched By Local Shipyard |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/bulgarias-first-modern-corvette-launched-by-local-shipyard/ |access-date=2023-08-10 |website=navalnews.com}}</ref>
|- 
| Smeli(11)(Смели-Brave) 
| 1st Patrol Ships Division
| TBD

|-
! {{sclass2|Tarantul|corvette|5}}
| [[File:ORP_Metalowiec_in_Gdynia.JPG|frameless|200px]]
| ''Malniya'' (101) (Мълния - Lightning)
| [[Fast Patrol Craft|Fast patrol craft]]/Missile corvette
| {{URS}}
| 4th Patrol Ships Division
| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Голям ракетен катер проект 1241.1Т "Молния-1"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_Mulniya_pr1241|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite book |title=Military Balance 2024 |publisher=IISS |year=2024 |isbn=978-1032780047 |publication-date=February 2024 |pages=81}}</ref>

|-
! rowspan="2" | {{sclass2|Pauk|corvette|5}}
| rowspan="2" | [[File:Reshitelni2006.jpg|200px]]
| ''Reshitelni'' (13) (Решителни - Decisive)
| rowspan="2" | [[Torpedo craft|Patrol craft torpedo]]/ASW corvette
| rowspan="2" | {{URS}}
| rowspan="2" | 1st Patrol Ships Division
| rowspan="2" | [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| rowspan="2" | <ref name="vimpel.boinaslava">{{cite web|title=Противолодочни кораби проект 1241.2Э "Молния-2"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt_1241|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
| ''Bodri'' (14) (Бодри - Brisk)

|-
! {{sclass2|Koni|frigate|5}}
| [[File:Smeli2006Varna.jpg|frameless|200px]]
| ''Smeli'' (11) (Смели - Brave)
| [[Fast attack craft]]
| {{URS}}
| 1st Patrol Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Стражеви кораб проект 1159 /Смели/|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_smeli_pr1159|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref><ref name=":0" />

|-
! colspan="8" |[[Mine countermeasures vessel|Mine Countermeasures Ships]] (10)

|-
! rowspan="3" | {{sclass2|Tripartite|minehunter|5}}
| rowspan="3" | [[File:Dutch naval visitors, Belfast - geograph.org.uk - 993303.jpg|frameless|200px]]
| ''[[Bulgarian minehunter Tsibar|Tsibar]]'' (32) (Цибър)
| rowspan="3" | [[Minehunter]] Coastal
| {{BEL}}
| rowspan="3" | 3rd Mine Counter-Measure Division
| rowspan="3" | [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| ex-Belgian ''Myosotis''<ref>{{cite web|title=Минен ловец тип "Tripartite"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_tripartite|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| ''Mesta'' (31)
|rowspan="2"| {{NLD}}
| ex-Dutch ''Maassluis''
|-
| ''Struma'' (33)
| ex-Dutch ''Hellevoetsluis''
|-
! rowspan="4" |{{sclass2|Olya|minesweeper|5}}
| rowspan="4" |
| Kapitan-Leytenant Kiril Minkov (53)
| rowspan="4" |[[Minesweeper]] Inshore 
| rowspan="4" |{{URS}}
| rowspan="4" |3rd Mine Counter-Measure Division
| rowspan="4" |[[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| rowspan="4" |<ref>{{cite web|title=Миночистачни катери проект 1259.2 "Малахит"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_Olya|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref><ref name=":0" />
|-
| Balik (54)
|-
| Kapitan Leytenant Evstati Vinarov (55)
|-
| Kapitan Parvi Rang Dimitar Paskalev (56)

|-
!rowspan="3"| {{sclass2|Sonya|minesweeper|5}}
|rowspan="3"| [[File:62_Shkval_Minesweeper.jpg|frameless|200px]]
| ''Briz'' (61) (Бриз - Sea breeze)
|rowspan="3"| Minesweeper Coastal
|rowspan="3"| {{URS}}
|rowspan="3"| 6th Mine Counter-Measure Division
|rowspan="3"| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
|rowspan="3"| <ref name="vimpel.boinaslava_b">{{cite web|title=Базови тралщици проект 1265 "Яхонт"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt%201265|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| ''Shkval'' (62) (Шквал - Squall)
|-
| ''Priboi'' (63) (Прибой - Breaking wave)
|-
! colspan="8" |[[Landing craft]] (2)
|-
!Vydra
|
|Project 106K-1
Project 106K-2
|[[Landing craft mechanized|LCM]]
|{{USSR}}
|
|
|<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Military Balance 2023 |url=https://www.iiss.org/publications/the-military-balance/ |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=IISS |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Vydra class {{!}} Weaponsystems.net |url=https://old.weaponsystems.net/weaponsystem/GG08%20-%20Vydra%20class.html |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=old.weaponsystems.net}}</ref>
|-
! colspan="8" |[[Auxiliary ship|Support Ships]] (16)

|-
! rowspan="5" | Project 160 multi-purpose cutter
| rowspan="5" |
| Hull number 121
| rowspan="5" | [[Cutter (boat)|Cutter]]
| rowspan="5" | {{BGR}}
| rowspan="3" | 18th Support Ships Division
| rowspan="3" | [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| rowspan="5" | <ref name="cu160">{{cite web|title=Многоцелеви моторни катери проект 160|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt%20160|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| Hull number 215
|-
| Hull number 216
|-
| Hull number 312
| rowspan="2" | 96th Support Ships Division
| rowspan="2" | [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
|-
| Hull number 313

|-
! rowspan="2" | Project 245 cutter
| rowspan="2" |
| Hull number 223
| rowspan="2" | Cutter
| rowspan="2" | {{BGR}}
| 18th Support Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| rowspan="2" | <ref name="cu245">{{cite web|title=Водолазни катери проект 245|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt%20245|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| Hull number 323
| 96th Support Ships Division
| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]

|-
! rowspan="2" | Project 612 survey cutter
| rowspan="2" |
| Hull number 231
| rowspan="2" | Cutter
| rowspan="2" | {{BGR}}
| 18th Support Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| rowspan="2" | <ref name="cu612">{{cite web|title=Хидрографски катери проект 612|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_hidrografski|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| Hull number 331
| 96th Support Ships Division
| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]

|-
! Project 250 fireboat
|
| ''Aheloy'' (321) (Ахелой)
| [[Fireboat]]
| {{BGR}}
| 96th Support Ships Division
| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Противопожарен кораб проект 250|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt250|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>

|-
! rowspan="2" | Project 650 tanker
| rowspan="2" |
| ''Balchik'' (203) (Балчик)
| rowspan="2" | [[Tanker (ship)|Tanker]]
| rowspan="2" | {{BGR}}
| 18th Support Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| rowspan="2" | <ref name="ta650">{{cite web|title=Танкери-бункеровчици проект 650|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt650|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
| ''Akin'' (303) (Акин)
| 96th Support Ships Division
| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]

|-
!-
|
| Hull number 211
| [[Tugboat]]
| {{BGR}}
| 18th Support Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| <ref name="tbtv">{{Cite web|title=История на създаването|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_tlaskach-vlekach|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>

|-
!-
|
| Hull number 410
| Tugboat
| {{BGR}}
| 96th Support Ships Division
| [[Atia, Bulgaria|Atia]]
| <ref name="tbtv" />

|-
! Type 1799 degaussing ship
| [[File:Bulgarian Navy degaussing ship Captain 1st rank Dimitar Dobrev, Varna Harbor, April 2022.jpg|frameless|200px]]
| ''Kapitan I rang Dimitar Dobrev'' (206) (after [[Dimitar Dobrev (officer)|Dimitar Dobrev]])
| Degaussing ship
| {{POL}}
| 18th Support Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Кораб за размагнитване проект 1799|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt1799|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>

|-
!-
| [[File:Italian_submarine_rescue_ship_Proteo_(A5310)_c1962.jpg|200px]]
| Rescue vessel
| ''Proteo'' (224) (Протео)
| {{ITA}}
| 18th Support Ships Division
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| ex-Italian А 5310 ''Proteo''<ref>{{cite web|title=Спасителен кораб "Протео"|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proteo|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=21 July 2011|title=Спасителен кораб "Протео"|url=http://pan.bg/view_article-35-5340-Spasitelen-korab-Proteo.html|access-date=5 October 2014|work=Pan.bg}} (Bulgarian)</ref>

|-
! colspan="8" |[[Training ship|Training Ships]] (1)

|-
! -
|
| Hull number 421
| Training vessel
| {{BGR}}
| Naval academy "N.Y. Vaptsarov"
| [[Varna, Bulgaria|Varna]]
| <ref>{{cite web|title=Учебен кораб 421|url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_trainingship421|access-date=5 October 2014|work=vimpel.boinaslava.net}} (Bulgarian)</ref>
|-
! colspan="8" |Uninhabited maritime systems
|-
|[[Double Eagle (mine disposal vehicle)|Double Eagle Mark III]]
|[[File:Double Eagle on Yarra.jpg|frameless|191x191px]]
!-
|[[Unmanned underwater vehicle]]
|{{SWE}}
!-
!-
|<ref name=":0" />
|}


==Naval aviation==
[[File:Bulgarian Navy Air Base Chaika Emblem.svg|thumb|right|150px|Insignia of the [[Chayka Naval Air Base]]]]
{{see also|Chayka Naval Air Base}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Name
!Image
!Origin
!Type
!Quantity
!Details
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS565 Panther]]
|[[File:2021-02 Amsterdam Island - Nivose's helicopter 14.jpg|frameless|160x160px]]
|{{FRA}}
|[[Maritime patrol aircraft|Maritime patrol]]/
[[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]]
|2<ref>{{Cite web |last=Embraer |first=In association with |title=2023 World Air Forces directory |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>
|(6 originally ordered, 3 delivered, 3 later canceled, 1 written off)
|-
|[[Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin]]
|[[File:Flickr - Official U.S. Navy Imagery - French navy rescue helicopter lands aboard USS Mount Whitney in support of crisis in Libya..jpg|frameless|160x160px]]
|{{FRA}}
|[[Multirole helicopter]]
|1<ref>{{Cite web |last=Embraer |first=In association with |title=2023 World Air Forces directory |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/reports/2023-world-air-forces-directory/151088.article |access-date=2023-09-08 |website=Flight Global |language=en}}</ref>
|Delivered in late 2019
|}

=== Accidents ===
On 9 June 2017 during a training mission of artillery fire against surface targets as a part of the ''"Black Sea-2017"'' exercise of the Bulgarian Navy, a Panther helicopter crashed in the water, killing the commander and injuring the other two officers on board. The helicopter's main rotor made contact with the fore flagpole of the frigate BGS-41 ''Drazki'', after which it crashed into the sea. The crew commander suffered heavy injuries upon the crash, causing his death. The other two crew members suffered minor injuries, mainly by inhaling gases caused after the crash.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aeropress-bg.com/news/bulgaria/4500-%D0%B8%D0%BD%D1%86%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BD%D1%82-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%B5%D1%80%D1%82%D0%BE%D0%BB%D0%B5%D1%82-panther-%D0%BE%D1%82-%D1%81%D1%8A%D1%81%D1%82%D0%B0%D0%B2%D0%B0-%D0%BD%D0%B0-%D0%B2%D0%BC%D1%81|title=Катастрофа с вертолет Panther от състава на ВМС (обобщение)|first=Списание|last=АЕРО|website=aeropress-bg.com|access-date=12 April 2018}}</ref>) The helicopter has been written off and the remaining two units have been grounded for a month on 10 June. After the helicopter struck the flagpole it became increasingly unstable and the commander, Capt. Georgi Anastasov, decided to turn back to the frigate and attempt an emergency landing in the water nearby, maximizing the chances for a rapid emergency recovery by the surface ships nearby. According to the Ministry of Defence and Navy officials his actions have directly contributed to the saving of the other two officers on board with only minor injuries, for his efforts he has been posthumously promoted to Major.

=== Storage ===
3 [[Mil Mi-14]] (stored in non-airworthy condition)

==Equipment==
{| class="wikitable"
! Type
!Image
! Origin
! Type
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Surface-to-surface missile|SSM systems]]
|-
| [[Exocet]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_druzki_F912 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:Exocet MM38.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]|| {{FRA}} || [[anti-ship missile]]
|-
| [[P-15 Termit|P-15MC Termit]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oryx |title=Modernisation On A Budget: Bulgaria’s Arms Acquisitions |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/08/modernisation-on-budget-bulgarias-arms.html |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Oryx}}</ref>
|[[File:Raduga P-15M Termit – NASM Udvar-Hazy (51282915722).jpg|frameless|150x150px]]|| {{URS}} || anti-ship missile
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Surface-to-air missile|SAM systems]]
|-
| [[SA-N-4]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_smeli_pr1159 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:Bulgarian SA-8.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]|| {{URS}} || surface-to-air missile
|-
| [[SA-N-5]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_smeli_pr1159 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref> 
|[[File:SA-7.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]|| {{URS}} || [[MANPAD|manpad]]
|-
|[[9K34 Strela-3|SA-14]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_Mulniya_pr1241 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:SA-14 missile and launch tube.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|manpad
|-
| [[RIM-7 Sea Sparrow]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_druzki_F912 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:RIM-7 Sea Sparrow - ID 070521-N-5345W-047.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]|| {{USA}} || surface-to-air missile
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Close-in weapon system|CIWS]]
|-
|[[AK-630|AK-630M]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_Mulniya_pr1241 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:AK-630 30 mm naval CIWS gun.JPEG|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[30 mm caliber|30mm]] close in weapon system
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Naval guns]]
|-
|[[AK-176|AK-176M]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt_1241 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:Hiddensee AK-176 gun.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|[[76mm Super Rapid naval cannon|76mm]] naval gun
|-
|[[AK-726]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_smeli_pr1159 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:AK 726 Mounting 02.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|76mm naval gun
|-
|[[AK-230]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_smeli_pr1159 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:Forward AK-230, Keihässalmi.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|30mm twin naval gun
|-
|[[French 100 mm naval gun|Creusot-Loire 100mm Naval Gun]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_druzki_F912 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:French 100 mm naval gun-b.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{FRA}}
|[[100 mm naval gun (France)|100mm]] naval gun
|-
! colspan="4" |[[Anti-submarine warfare|ASW]]
|-
|[[RBU-1200]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_proekt_1241 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:RBU-1200 Pauk.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|ASW [[rocket launcher]]
|-
|[[RBU-6000]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Вимпел |url=http://vimpel.boinaslava.net/index.php?module=bg_smeli_pr1159 |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=vimpel.boinaslava.net}}</ref>
|[[File:INS Satpura - RBU-6000.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|ASW rocket launcher
|-
! colspan="4" |Coastal Defence System
|-
|[[P-15 Termit|4K51 Rubezh]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Oryx |title=Modernisation On A Budget: Bulgaria’s Arms Acquisitions |url=https://www.oryxspioenkop.com/2023/08/modernisation-on-budget-bulgarias-arms.html |access-date=2023-09-22 |website=Oryx}}</ref>
|[[File:3S51 TELAR of 4K51 Rubezh coastal missile system at Park Patriot 01.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{USSR}}
|coastal defence 
|-
! colspan="4" |Future acquisition
|-
|[[RBS 15|RBS-15 Mk3]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitsopoulos |first=Dimitris |date=2023-08-09 |title=Bulgaria's First Modern Corvette Launched by Local Shipyard |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/bulgarias-first-modern-corvette-launched-by-local-shipyard/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[File:RBS-15.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{SWE}}
|anti-ship missile. Planned to replace the 4K51 Rubezh
|-
|[[MICA (missile)|VL MICA]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitsopoulos |first=Dimitris |date=2023-08-09 |title=Bulgaria's First Modern Corvette Launched by Local Shipyard |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/bulgarias-first-modern-corvette-launched-by-local-shipyard/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[File:Mock-up of a MBDA MICA missile in Taiwan.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{FRA}}
|vertical launched surface-to-air missile
|-
|[[Rheinmetall Oerlikon Millennium Gun|Oerlikon Millennium Gun]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitsopoulos |first=Dimitris |date=2023-08-09 |title=Bulgaria's First Modern Corvette Launched by Local Shipyard |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/bulgarias-first-modern-corvette-launched-by-local-shipyard/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[File:Peter Willemoes (F362) NOCO2014 04 SMART-L.JPG|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{GER}}
|35mm close in weapon system
|-
|[[OTO Melara 76 mm|Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mitsopoulos |first=Dimitris |date=2023-08-09 |title=Bulgaria's First Modern Corvette Launched by Local Shipyard |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/08/bulgarias-first-modern-corvette-launched-by-local-shipyard/ |access-date=2023-09-21 |website=Naval News |language=en-US}}</ref>
|[[File:Oto Melara 76mm Super Rapid Gun mount on HTMS Bhumibol Adulyadej (FFG-471) right front view at JMSDF Yokosuka Naval Base November 3, 2022 01.jpg|frameless|150x150px]]
|{{ITA}}
|76mm naval gun
|}

==Ranks==
{{main|Military ranks of Bulgaria}}

===Commissioned officer ranks===
The rank insignia of [[commissioned officer]]s.
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OF/Bulgaria}}
|}

===Other ranks===
The rank insignia of [[non-commissioned officer]]s and [[Enlisted rank|enlisted personnel]].
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of NATO Navies/OR/Bulgaria}}
|}

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite journal |last1=Andreev |first1=J.|last2=Boshniakov|first2=S.|name-list-style=amp |title=L'aviation navale bulgare (récit complete) |journal=Avions: Toute l'aéronautique et son histoire |date=July 1997 |issue=52 |pages=38–42 |trans-title=Bulgarian Naval Aviation |language=French |issn=1243-8650}}
*{{cite journal |last1=Todorov |first1=Ilia |title=Fifty Years of the Bulgarian Navy|journal= Warship International |date=1996 |volume=XXXIII |issue=1 |pages=16–44 |issn=0043-0374}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Bulgarian Navy}}
*[http://www.mod.bg/ Official site of the Bulgarian Naval Forces (Bulgarian)]
*[https://www.mod.bg/en/index.php Official site of the Bulgarian Naval Forces (English)]

{{Military of Bulgaria}}
{{Allied Maritime Command}}
{{Navies in Europe}}

[[Category:Bulgarian Navy| ]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1879]]