American boat builder SAFE Boats International received a contract to build two additional Mark VI boats for the Ukrainian Navy. The construction of boats was ordered by the Pentagon, follows from a message on the website of the US Department of Defense.
according to documents, the cost of each boat will be 25 556 452 dollars, but Kyiv will receive them free of charge along with the first six. Thus, the United States will transfer eight Mark VI patrol boats to the Ukrainian Navy, built with funds allocated by the Pentagon. but, as previously reported, money for the construction of boats is taken from the allocated to Kyiv “military aid”.
The construction of the first boats under the signed agreement began last year, 6 January 2021 The US Department of Defense announced the preparations for the start of construction of the first two Mk VI high-speed patrol boats with subsequent delivery to the Ukrainian Navy. The transfer must take place as part of the American program of intergovernmental foreign military sales Foreign Military Sales (FMS). note, that the cost of the first boats did not exceed 20 million. dollars, while the new ones are already for 25 million.
The Ukrainian fleet should receive the first six boats by March 2025 of the year, two more – to March 2026 of the year. All subsequent boats, and Kyiv announced plans to purchase up to 12 – 16 boats, will be paid by Ukrainian taxpayers.
earlier it was reported, what the United States will supply to boats and weapons: 32 MSI Seahawk A2 remotely controlled artillery mounts (two per boat) with 30 mm Mk automatic cannons 44 Bushmaster II and other equipment.
Full displacement of the boat 72 tons, length 25,8 m, width 6,2 m and draft 1,2 m. Max. speed – 45 with. Cruising range 690 miles at speed 30 with. The crew of the boat is 10-11 human + possible landing 7-8 human.
According to the plans of the Ukrainian Navy, Mark VI boats will be part of two divisions, which will be placed in the Black and Azov Seas.
