Iraqi Navy Aims to Buy Up to 21 Surface Vessels
By AMI INTERNATIONAL INC.
The Iraqi Navy has been reviewing bids for the procurement
of up to 21 surface vessels. Initial details indicate that
the two-year acquisition program will include four patrol boats
(over 150 tons), 15 patrol boats/
patrol craft (50-125 tons) and two Assad-class fast-attack
craft (corvettes) that were built for the Iraqi Navy in the
1980s and are being modernized and brought back into operational
status.
The new vessels will supplement the five Taiwanese-built
28-meter patrol boats that were delivered in 2004 and the
six Iraqi-built Al Uboor-class patrol craft that were delivered
in 2005. The Iraqi Navy’s primary mission is to provide
maritime security for the northern Persian Gulf as well as
to protect Iraqi oil installations near Basra.
The two leading contenders for the program are Italy’s
Fincantieri and Bollinger Shipyards of Lockport, La. Fincantieri
has confirmed that it is taking part in the tender process
to construct the four patrol vessels (patrol boats over 150
tons) at an estimated cost of $103 million.
Fincantieri, under a separate contract, is expected to also
complete the two Assad-class craft.
Bollinger Shipyards, or possibly another U.S. yard, is likely
to construct the 15 patrol boats/craft under a Foreign Military
Sale program. Bollinger has provided several patrol vessels
to the U.S. Coast Guard, including the 91-ton Marine Protector
class and the 168-ton Island class, that would satisfy the
Iraqi Navy’s requirements.
India OKs Purchase of Trenton, Landing Craft
The Indian government has approved the procurement of the
Austin-class landing platform dock ship USS Trenton from the
U.S. Navy. Trenton, and four Landing Craft Utility boats, will
be purchased for $48.2 million.
A core crew of 72 Indian naval personnel is in the United
States to receive training and assume command of the ship.
Trenton will be transferred with most of its equipment, including
the Phalanx 20mm Close-In Weapon System. The ship will be officially
handed over in 2007.
Trenton, which served an integral role in the evacuation
of U.S. citizens from Lebanon during the recent fighting between
Israel and Hezbollah guerrilla forces, will be the second largest
warship in the Indian Navy’s inventory, following the
Hermes-class aircraft carrier. It will give the sea service
its first purpose-built amphibious vessel capable of combined
well deck and aviation operations.
AMI International Inc., Bremerton, Wash.,
is an international consulting and naval intelligence services
company located on the web at www.amiinter.com
