Iraqi Navy

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Iraqi patrol craft in 2004

The Iraqi Navy is one of the components of the military of Iraq currently being reconstructed by UK-US Coalition forces in Iraq. Its primary responsibilities are the protection of Iraq's coastline and offshore assets. Initially called the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, its official name was changed on January 12, 2005.^[1]

As of February 2006, the navy has approximately 800 sailors and marines which form an Operational headquarters, two afloat squadrons, and six marine platoons ^[2].

Headed by Commodore Muhammad Jawad, the navy has plans to build six Al Uboor-class patrol boats in Baghdad, with the first of the boats to enter service in September 2005. Additionally, two Assad-class corvettes built for Iraq in the 1980s will be released to the Iraqi Navy by Italy. The 5 British corvettes and 1 Soviet patrol boat operated by the Saddam-era Iraqi Navy were destroyed in the 2nd and 1st Gulf Wars respectively.

[edit] Naval Fleet

An Iraqi patrol craft in Manama, Bahrain prior to being delivered to the Iraqi Navy

• Five Predator Class patrol boats
• five Chinese-built 27-meter gunboats
• 24 Fast Aluminium Boats
• 6 Al-Uboor class patrol boats
• 600 sailors and officers, including 200 in the Iraqi Naval Battalion (marines) who guard the platforms.

[edit] Future Procurement

On February 15th 2006 the Iraqi Navy ordered 4 Diciotti class Offshore-Patrol Vessels built by the Italian firm Ficantieri. The ships are due to be delivered within the first 6 months of 2009 and phased at 3 month intervals. The deal, which is worth $101 million will also include the training of crew and maintenance personnel.

The Diciotti class patrol boat is 52-54m long and can go at speeds in excess of 20 knots. They are also used by the Italian Guardia Costiera and the Maltese Navy. When they enter service they will be used to patrol the exclusive economic zone, control maritime traffic and for search and rescue and fire fighting.

[edit] See also

• Iraqi Air Force
• Iraqi Security Forces
• New Iraqi Army

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

• http://www.defendamerica.mil/articles/feb2005/a021705la1.html
• http://www.navyleague.org/sea_power/jun_05_66.php
• http://iraqieconomy.org/home/bilecon/uae/20050515
• http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/2006/iraq-stability-security_2006-02.pdf
• http://www.cpa-iraq.org/pressreleases/20040419_coastal_defense.html

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