According to the Pentagon, this contract covers “long lead time material and associated pre-production and planning support for two MK VI patrol boats to be delivered to the government of Ukraine“.
For the record, the US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Ukraine of up to 16 Mark VI Patrol Boats and related equipment in June last year for a estimated cost of US$ 600 million.
Talking recently to Radio Liberty, Rear Admiral Alexei Neizhpapa said:
Regarding the Mk VI: a construction contract has been signed, because they will be transferred new. We hope that in the next two years (that is, until the end of 2022), the first batch will become part of the Ukrainian Navy. We have completely decided on the weapons systems that will be installed on both the Mk VI and the Island.
Commander of the Ukrainian naval forces
According to BMPD citing reports from Ukrainian sources, the first six of these Mk VI patrol boats will be supplied to Ukraine on basis of US military aid, and the remaining ten will have to be paid for by Ukraine from its own budget.
Presumably, the delivery of the first two Mk VI boats should be financed within the framework of the US$ 250 million military aid package adopted by the US Congress for the 2020 financial year. Delivery of the first two boats to Ukraine is expected at the end of 2022, which is confirmed by the above contract.
About Mark VI patrol boat
The Mark VI is a class of patrol boat designed and built by SAFE Boats international since 2015. Their main purposes are littoral and riverine surveillance but is reconfigurable to embark special forces or medical facility. The rear deck is able to launch and recover a small UAV or UUV. The U.S. Navy is the only user of this class of boat and owns twelve of them.
Main specifications
- Displacement: 72 tonnes
- Length: 25.8m
- Draft: 20.5m
- Propulsion: 2 x MTU 5200 horse power
- Speed: 45 knots
- Range: 750 nautical miles at 25 knots
- Crew: 10
- Weapons: 2 x MK 38 Mod 2 25mm chain guns (It can change depending on the mission)
