According to a tweet published by Devrim Yaylali on October 27, 2021, the Bulgarian Navy frigate BNS Drazki passed southbound through Istanbul to participate in NATO Operation Sea Guardian.
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Wielingen-class frigate Drazki in Istanbul, Turkey (Picture source: Bosphorus Naval News)
Drazki is a Wielingen-class frigate of the Bulgarian Navy. Originally constructed for the Belgian Navy as Wandelaar, the ship was acquired by the Bulgarian Navy in 2004. The frigate is currently in active service.
Wandelaar was launched on 21 June 1977 at the Boelwerf in Temse. The frigate was later commissioned on 3 October 1978 with the pennant number F912. Wandelaar was the third ship in the Wielingen class.
She was sold to the Bulgarian Navy in 2004. Wandelaar was refurbished and commissioned as Drazki with pennant number 41. In 2008 two other sister ships, Wielingen and Westdiep, were sold to Bulgaria.
The Wielingen class is a class of four multi-functional frigates built for the Belgian Navy. The ships are named after sandbanks in the North Sea, not far from the Belgian coast, or sea routes. The lead ship is named after the Wielingen sandbank.
