site.btaBulgarian Navy Receives New High-speed Motor Boats from United States

Varna, on the Black Sea, August 3 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Navy Friday received four new high-speed motor boats in an official donation from the United States. The handover ceremony was attended by United States Ambassador to Bulgaria Eric Rubin, Navy Commander Rear Admieal Mitko Petev, officials from the central and local powers.

Petev said that the donation of the boats is one of the many initiatives for cooperation between Bulgaria and the United States in the defence area. The new boats improve the capabilities of the Navy for high-speed movement and deployment of forces by sea. Petev said that with the Panther helicopters and the high-speed motor boats the Navy has a complete outfit for rapid reaction. The boats can be used in the event of terrorist acts, for interception, inspection and escorting of shops, maritime search and rescue operations, medical evacuation of injured people. The vessels will aid the efforts against illegal migration.

The boats are fitted with state-of-the-art equipment. The special anti-terrorist cutter has a sonar station and night-time and thermal vision cameras. Heavy automatic weapons can be installed in all boats. The vessels sail at up to 40 knots. The range of the boats is more than 100 nautical miles.

Rubin said that Bulgaria is the first country in the Black Sea region to receive such boats. The Ambassador said that the donation: the boats, equipment and training of Bulgarian military, totals two million US dollars.