Ukrainian Navy Completes Patrol Boat Training in USA
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The Ukrainian Navy has completed training courses for naval personnel in the operation of Island-Class patrol boats in Baltimore, USA. The recently concluded refresher training course adds to more than two hundred joint training events conducted since 2014.
The first two Island class patrol boats, named Sloviansk (P191) and Starobilsk (P190), formerly US Coast Guard cutters, were commissioned into service in November 2019 at Odessa. 34 Ukrainian Navy sailors underwent a ten-week training course in Baltimore, Maryland prior to delivery of the first patrol boats.
Three more Island-Class boats, United States Coast Guard Cutters Ocracoke, Washington and Kiska will also be transferred to Ukraine.
Rear Admiral Oleksiy Neizhpapa, commander of the Ukrainian Navy said, "We are grateful for the valuable material and technical assistance in re-equipping the Ukrainian Navy, in particular the fast boats, heaters, diving gear, communications equipment, technical equipment of the command and control system."
The USA is providing advisory andeducational support and is also supporting the training of Ukrainian naval crews, cadets and marines.
The USA has committed more than $2 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since 2014, including the most recent $125 million package comprising defensive weapons and other capabilities for Ukraine’s Armed Forces.
While the patrol boats are supplied by the USA under its Excess Defence Articles programme, their refurbishment and modernisation is being undertaken with Ukrainian defence funds.
The Ukrainian Navy will also receive up to 16 Mark VI Patrol Boats under a deal worth approximately $600 million. The modern, fast, short-range Mark VI built by SAFE Boats International has also been chosen as the US Navy’s next generation Patrol Boat.
The Mk VI PB is powered by twin diesel engines and water jets and is capable of speeds in excess 30 knots at full load and a range in excess of 600 nautical miles.
