The Russo-Ukraine crisis has made submarines a higher priority for the Bulgarian Navy.
EURACTIVadvised, January 21, 2022:
“Bulgaria wants to buy two submarines to re-establish its submarine fleet. The last Bulgarian submarine [Slava in Bulgarian, Fame in English] was decommissioned 10 years ago and is now a museum. Since 2011, the Black Sea state has not had a submarine fleet, but in the midst of the Ukrainian crisis, the desire for one is growing.
[Bulgaria's Defence Minister, Stefan Yanev, said on January 20, 2022.]
“We don’t have submarines, but it’s good for every fleet to have them. Talks are underway with a specific country to buy submarines. There is a way to allocate money for submarines in the state budget. We will not buy new submarines, but at least they will be in good technical condition,"
COMMENT AND BACKGROUND
Bulgaria (a country just larger than South Korea, with a population less than 7 million) has the misfortune of sitting on the Black Sea, that sea dominated by Russia. Bulgaria was unsettled by the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014. Russia's latest aggressive pressure on Ukraine has made Bulgaria even more nervous.
After Bulgaria sided with Germany in WWII Bulgaria was forcibly incorporated into Russia’s neo-Tsarist Empirein 1944. Bulgaria then received inexpensive Russian weapons when it joined the Russian dominated Warsaw Pact in 1955.
The Bulgarian Navy has mainly subsisted on second hand, small, old ships and boats. Four Russian built Romeo-class SSKs of 1959 vintage, were gifted, in obsolete condition, to Bulgaria in 1985. Maybe there were enough old Romeos in Europe, Middle East, China and North Korea to cannibalize for spare parts for Bulgaria's subs up to 2011.
Bulgaria become a non-Russian dominated democracy in 1990. When Bulgaria joined NATO in 2004 and the European Union in 2007 Emperor Putin would have been further mind boggled.
As a NATO country geographically too close for comfort to Russia Bulgaria will probably tend to buy the 2 secondhand subs, in good condition, from NATO countries. Investing in NATO subs is good for Bulgaria's alliance credentials. Bulgaria would be unlikely to buy subs from potential enemy, Russia, again.
Do we have some subs for you!
There are few secondhand subs from NATO countries to choose from that are in good condition.
The top picks are 2 of Norway’s Type 210 Ulas, one owner, average 32 years old, well maintained, no AIP (so cheaper to run).
Italy’s Sauros might also be tasty, one owner, around 32 years old.
Spain’s Agostas, one owner, diesels getting cranky, at 38 years old.
Least likely might be Poland’s Kobbens, average 57 years old, 2 owners, worn out, in bits, held together by rust.
As with most submarine buys Bulgaria may need to wait 5 years - unless Bulgaria is willing to cobble together parts into Kobbens.