The Iraqi Navy has accepted the second and third of a projected class of fifteen 35 meter (115 foot) patrol boats that will ultimately take over security duties at their offshore oil terminals now provided by Coast Guard 110 foot and Navy Cyclone Class patrol craft.
The patrol boats are being built in Louisiana by Swiftships at a cost of about $20M each. The crews are also being trained in Louisiana.
“Constructed from aluminum, the vessels are able to reach a speed of 30kts and can sustain a 25-man crew for up to six days. Main armament comprises a Seahawk Model DS30M A2 30mm gun supplied by MSIDefence Systems.
“A stern ramp aft provides for the launch and recovery of a rigid inflatable hull boat for boarding/interdiction missions. The acquisition of the 15 Swiftships-built Coastal Patrol Craft forms part of a wider plan to recapitalize the Iraqi Navy. This also includes the acquisition of new interceptor craft, offshore patrol vessels and offshore support ships.”
There is a video of some of the units of the Iraqi Navy, including the first vessel of the class here, and some additional background here.
These little ships look to be built more for speed and less for seakeeping than our own patrol boats, but that is not surprising considering their environment and their neighbors.
The British made stabilized 30 mm gun means it is slightly better armed than the Fast Response Cutter. Again, not surprising. The Iraqi Navy already has four larger (175 foot) but slower (23 knot), less well armed Italian built patrol vessels.
Makes me wonder what will happen to the 110s that are over there now. Will they be left with the host government, like our 82s were when the US pulled out of Vietnam? Maybe the Philippines could use them.
Always good to see small naval combatants being built in the US.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
While where at it, we can give the Iraqi Navy the 123’s that are laid up in Baltimore and maybe hand them some of our old 110’s when the FRC comes online. Maybe we can consider giving them an some old 210’s or 270’s when the OPC comes online. Though I have to wonder can the Iraqi navy handle whatever the US Coast guard gives them.
Actually for the small piece of water that the Iraqi Navy needs to patrol, they will have a good number of vessels. What they won’t have is anything frigate or even corvette size or larger.
Maybe they can center their navy around the Corvette or even a Light Frigate.
210 and 270 would be okay. The weapons systems through would need a major upgrade. At least the ships are being built state side.
Patrick, Don’t get me wrong, a Used 210 and 270, with modifications to Corvette standard would be perfect for them as well
The 210’s are completely worn out, period. USCGC Dauntless always seemed to have some breakdown daily, and that was 5 years ago since I transferred off. They have too much old and “unique” equipment and lack of spare parts in some cases. I don’t see the 210’s going anywhere when they’re decommissioned, too small, old and cramped to be upgraded to corvette standards. By the time the 270’s are replaced they will be to.
Don’t get me wrong, a used 210 or used 270 would be perfect for some countries who want a used corvette Such as Nigeria, Liberia or even the Philippines. I believe their are some countries who have our used 210’s such as Sri Lanka who has the former USCGC Courageous (WMEC-622), which is now the SLNS Samudura. Even Columbia who has the Former USCGC Durable (WMEC-628), which is now the ARC Valle del Cauca. So for some countries who can afford the Maintenance cost and have low cost labor, could conceivably get get a used 210 or 270.
Unfortunately it is going to be at least eight years before we start seeing replacements for the 210s, and even longer, before there are replacements for the 270s, at least 16 years and probably more.
Must say that I guess they have to get PB’s somewhere. But, to this day
I am sorry we gave away our 82’s. only to be taken over by our enemy or
rusting away in the Philippines. If nothing else thy could have served
American better as Sea Scout units. Seriously, We could have found
many shore communities here in American to turn our Cutters over to.
My Regards,
Bill Hoover
Bill Hoover (Hi ya doin’ Bill),
The vessels we turned over to the Vietnamese were pretty much wrecks. All 26 of the 82s were ending their life spans for U. S. use. The constant (75% to 85%) underway time in hard conditions took its toll. The 311s had already ended their useful U. S. lives.
None of the 82s made it to the Philippines. They had the capability but not the crews to do it. We once figured out that, with additional on deck fuel or getting some from a passing vessel, we could have easily made the Philippines. They did sail from Subic to Vietnam in 1965 with a support vessel.
The Vietnamese Navy did not get the cream of the American crop.
The proof of the usefulness of the new Iraqi patrol craft will be seen in the amount of time they spend on patrol and maintenance. The Vietnamese did not like being on patrol and were not well versed in maintenance. Then again, we, as a U. S. force tried to impose our standards on the Vietnamese who had no real culture of seamanship beyond fishing.
Here is one type the Iraqis had before. http://www.aug.edu/~libwrw/ds/psu303bimages/powell37.jpg
Yes, Bill Wells is right with his assessment of the 82’s and 311’s.
I just hate to give up “Our Stuff”. Guess I’m just selfish.
If there is anyone I know who is a wealth of CG information
it is my old Friend GMCM Bill Wells.
The IqN needs new patrol boats. While some of the old cutters might have worked, I kind of doubt the IqN sailors are up to the task? I believe this FMS include life cycle maintenance?
One has to wonder how this FPBs would hold up against Iranian swarmers?
Lee, I think they will actually be relatively well prepared to deal with the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corp boat swarm, but with no CIWS and nothing larger than a 30 mm in their Navy, they are vulnerable to any cruise missiles, the guns of the Iran corvettes (which they call destroyers), and aircraft other than perhaps helos, unless they get a lot of support. They also cannot protect the terminals or shipping from Iranian submarines (of various sizes from midgets to Kilos).
In short, if the Iranians attack they still need a lot of help.
But as a replacement for the Navy and Coast Guard patrol boats, the 15 new boats and the four Italian built vessels appear more than adequate.
Navyrecognition reports delivery of boats #10 and 11 of the 12 planned.
http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/year-2013-news/march-2013-navy-world-naval-forces-maritime-industry-technology-news/952–us-navy-delivers-two-more-35-meter-swiftships-coastal-patrol-boats-to-iraq-.html
The last of the twelve boat order has been delivered: http://www.asdnews.com/news-50168/US_Navy_Delivers_Final_Coastal_Patrol_Boat_to_Iraq.htm
Looks like Jordan will also be getting a couple of these 35 meter patrol boats. Quote from German Navy blog, Marine Forum, “7 March, JORDAN, Two 35-m patrol boats (aluminum monohull) to be procured for delivery in early 2019 … financed under the US Foreign Military Sales programme.”
An earlier report, http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2518