Bulgarian frigate Verni
Appearance
History | |
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Belgium | |
Name | Wielingen |
Builder | Boelwerf, Temse |
Laid down | 5 March 1974 |
Launched | 30 March 1976 |
Christened | 20 January 1978 |
Homeport | Zeebrugge Naval Base |
Motto | "Fit via Vi" |
Fate | Sold to Bulgaria in February 2009 |
Bulgaria | |
Name | Verni |
Acquired | February 2009 |
Status | In service |
General characteristics | |
Class and type | Wielingen-class frigate |
Displacement | 2,200 tonnes |
Length | 106.38 m (349.0 ft) |
Beam | 12.30 m (40.4 ft) |
Draught | 5.60 m (18.4 ft) |
Propulsion |
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Speed | 28 knots (52 km/h) |
Range | 6,000 mi (9,700 km) at 16 knots (30 km/h) |
Complement | 14 officers, 71 NCOs and 74 sailors |
Armament |
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Verni (Bulgarian: Верни, lit. 'Faithful') is a Wielingen-class frigate of the Bulgarian Navy. She was originally commissioned as Wielingen in the Belgian Navy.
Construction and career
[edit]Wielingen was launched on 30 March 1976 at the Boelwerf in Temse, and christened by Queen Fabiola of Belgium, on 20 January 1978. The patronage of the Wielingen was accepted by the city of Malmedy. Wielingen was the first ship in the Wielingen class, and had the pennant number F910.
The ship was sold to the Bulgarian Navy and left the Zeebrugge Naval Base in February 2009 under the Bulgarian flag. She was renamed Verni, with the new pennant number 42.