The seven ships to be transferred all belong to the Tripartite-class of MCM vessels that first entered service in the 1980s. France was the only other initial operator of the Tripartite-class ships, examples of which were also later handed over to the navies of Indonesia, Pakistan, Latvia and Ukraine.
The MOD clarified that the transfer of the vessels to Bulgaria remains subject to conditions. In addition to being responsible for financing and maintenance of the ships, Bulgaria will also train Ukrainian Navy crews in their operation.