military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin believes, that the delivery to Ukraine of a consignment of American MarkVI patrol boats will not affect the balance of forces in the Black and Azov Seas.
The first reports, Kiev intends to purchase patrol boats developed by SAFE Boats International from the USA, began to arrive back in March 2020 of the year. At that time, such information was provided by CNN, Recalling its sources in the American administration. anticipated, that together with MarkVI Ukraine will receive radar stations and other equipment for a total of 125 million dollars. The transfer was to take place as part of the gratuitous assistance to the Independent, to which Washington singled out 250 million dollars.
A few months later, this transaction became more clear. However, the contract is now valued at 600 million dollars, which is more than double the so-called gratuitous aid from the military department.
Military expert Viktor Litovkin in an interview with RT noted, that American boats are designed to protect coastal borders and fight smugglers. For more serious purposes, these vessels are not suitable.
Today Ukraine needs a coastal fleet, and thanks to these boats she will get it. But the weapons on these boats are so weak, what to say, that Ukraine will have a strong fleet, not necessary, - emphasized the specialist.
At the same time, Kiev is counting on the opposite effect.. He seriously believes, that the supply of MarkVI will allow the Navy to come at least a little closer in power to the Black Sea Fleet. However similar ideas, considers Leonkov, completely groundless.
Previously reported, that Ukraine pins its hopes on the US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber. According to analysts from Independent, these planes can “strike” in the Russian Federation.
