Iraqi Navy Taps Italy for New Vessels

Three years after it was cobbled together using old patrol boats, the new Iraqi navy is making another attempt to rebuild its forces. In September, Iraq signed an ?80-million ($105-million) contract with Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri, to build four boats that will be the navy's operational backbone.

With the Italian boats, the navy wants to patrol the waters between its sole deepwater port of Umm Qasr and its two major offshore oil terminals, through which 90% of Iraq's revenue passes. Piracy, smuggling and even waterborne suicide bombings are persistent problems.

This is the third attempt since 2003 to recapitalize the 2,000-man navy. Following its destruction during 12 years of sanctions and bombings, surviving senior personnel and coalition advisers jump-started operations in 2003 with five used Taiwanese-built, Predator-class, 30-meter (98-ft.) patrol boats. But those craft were in poor condition and spare-part shortages usually kept all but one tied up pier-side. In 2005, the navy tried to bring into service six reconditioned Al Uboor-class patrol boats to supplement the 100-ton Predators, but these turned out to be barely seaworthy.

The contract with Fincantieri calls for the construction of four 400-ton Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), and includes spares and initial logistical support and training. The head-of-class is to be delivered in the spring of 2008; the other three will follow at the rate of one every three months.