March 10 (SeeNews) - The Bulgarian defence ministry said on Friday it launched a public tender with an estimated value of 7.25 million levs ($3.9 million/3.7 million euro) for the provision of out-of-warranty technical maintenance of the radio communications system of three Bulgarian Navy E-71 class frigates.
The ministry will seek to conclude a framework agreement with the potential provider for a term of seven years, it said in a notice published in the public procurement register.
The scope of the tender also includes the supply of spare parts, tools, accessories and consumables to the frigates Drazki, Verni and Gordi.
Offers are accepted until April 13. Applicants must hold a valid security clearance at a minimum level of Secret and NATO Secret, according to the notice.
Bulgaria has three Wielingen E-71 class frigates purchased second-hand from Belgium between 2005 and 2008. In 2019, Bulgaria launched a 984 million levs tender to acquire two multi-functional modular patrol ships, which attracted Germany's Luerssen, Italy's Fincantieri and Bulgarian company MTG Dolphin.
In December last year, Luerssen -- in partnership with Varna-based MTG Dolphin, started building the second of two modular multipurpose patrol vessels (MMPV) for the Bulgarian Navy.
(1 euro = 1.95583 levs)