Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba announced another "change". We are talking about the acquisition by Ukraine of American Mark VI patrol boats.
According to Kuleba, 6 of 16 American boats Ukraine will receive for free. Rest 10 boats will be purchased at the expense of the country's military budget.
Earlier, the US State Department approved a Ukrainian request for the acquisition of 16 Mark VI patrol boats under the FMS program – Foreign Military Sale. The total acquisition cost, together with weapons, will be about 600 million dollars.
The Commander of the Ukrainian Navy, Rear Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, announced that, that the United States, together with boats, will transfer short-range missile systems to Ukraine. These complexes will be located on boats. Division of such missile boats, according to Neizhpapa, Ukraine intends to place on the Sea of Azov.
Mark VI boats (Mk VI) have length 26 m. Maximum speed - about 40 knots. Cruising speed - 30 knots. Cruising range - 600 nautical miles. The boat is armed with a 25-mm gun mount.
Overview of the Mark VI boats made in the USA:
