Iraq Gets Two New Patrol Boats From U.S Navy

The U.S. Navy has delivered two more 35-meter patrol boats (PB-310 and PB-311) to the Iraqi navy after each craft successfully completed reactivation in Bahrain. 

These are the 10th and 11th vessels in the 12-boat procurement which will assist in reconstituting Iraq's ability to enforce maritime sovereignty and security in the northern Arabian Gulf, according to an official statement.

"Our Navy shipbuilding team has again succeeded in working closely with their Iraqi counterparts to deliver these important assets to the Iraqi navy," said Frank McCarthey, Program Executive Office (PEO) Ships' program manager for Support Ships, Boats and Craft. "Together with the nine patrol boats previously delivered, these two new vessels are a significant step toward meeting Iraq's security requirements in the northern Arabian Gulf". 

The boat is armed with a 30 millimeter gun weapon system, provides for a crew of 25 and is capable of reaching 30 knots.