Bulgarian Navy to Deploy Frigate to Gulf of Aden

The Bulgarian Navy may deploy its Druzki frigate to the Gulf of Aden in a bid to strengthen the international task force fighting pirates in international waters.

Bulgarian Navy rear admiral Plamen Manoushev said if the frigate was deployed for a two-month period, then one month of that time would be taken up with the round trip to the Gulf while the other would be for active patrol service.

The navy has decided to deploy a frigate in the region following the hijacking of a second UK-flagged ship, Asian Glory, which was transporting cars off the Somali coast, with Bulgarian crew members on board.

Deputy foreign minister Marin Raikov said the Asian Glory was expected to anchor on the same day thereby enabling negotiations to be launched for the safe return of the crew.