Surface Forces: Italy Builds An Iraqi Flagship

Archives

May 5, 2009: Iraq has made one of its 400 ton offshore patrol boats the flagship of its navy. The Fatah ("Victory"), also known as Patrol Ship 701, just completed a five month training program for its crew. The second ship of this class began its training in January. 

The Fatah class vessels are Italian built and based on the Saettia Mk. 4 missile patrol boat. These ships carry a crew of 38 (including a dozen marines for boarding ships). Top speed is about 70 kilometers an hour, and they can stay at sea for about a week. Armament of the Iraqi version consists of a 30mm automatic cannon and two machine-guns.  Iraq paid Italy $27 million for each of these ships, and British Royal Navy instructors trained the crews. Within three years, Iraq will assume responsibility for its maritime security. At that point, foreign warships will only operate in international waters.

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contributions. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   Contribute   Close