Iraqi Navy

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Iraqi Predator Class patrol craft in 2004

The Iraqi Navy is one of the components of the military of Iraq currently being reconstructed by UK-US Coalition forces in Iraq. Its primary responsibilities are the protection of Iraq's coastline and offshore assets. Initially called the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, its official name was changed on January 12, 2005.^[1]

As of February 2006, the navy has approximately 800 sailors and marines which form an Operational headquarters, two afloat squadrons, and six marine platoons ^[2].

Headed by Commodore Muhammad Jawad, the navy has plans to build six Al Uboor-class patrol boats in Baghdad, with the first of the boats to enter service in September 2005. Additionally, two Assad-class corvettes built for Iraq in the 1980s will be released to the Iraqi Navy by Italy. The 5 British corvettes and 1 Soviet patrol boat operated by the Saddam-era Iraqi Navy were destroyed in the 2nd and 1st Gulf Wars respectively.

1 History
2 Current role
3 Naval fleet
4 Future procurement
5 See also
6 References
7 External links

[edit] History

Please help improve this Section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. (May 2008)

The Iraqi Navy was formed in 1937 as a small four-ship force headquartered in Basra. Between 1937 and 1958, it was primarily a riverine force.

Following the July Revolution in 1968, the Iraqi navy began to expand. The Arab Gulf Academy for Sea Studies was established in Basra, which offered a bachelor's degree in war and engineering naval studies. By 1988, the Iraqi Navy grew to a force of 5,000, but played a relatively small role during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War.

Between 1977 and 1987, the Iraqi Navy received eight OSA fast attack boats, equipped with Styx missiles, from the Soviet Union. It also purchased four Lupo-class frigates and six Assad-class corvettes from Italy, although these were never delivered because of international sanctions following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.^[3]

[edit] Current role

At the moment, the Iraqi Navy is designed for coastal water protection; stopping the smuggling of people, oil and weapons; and to protect the country's oil platforms. As a result, the Iraqi Navy mainly needs patrol boats-these could be backed up by fast attack craft. The patrol boats need to have the ability to launch RIBs for boarding ships and also possibly be able to accommodate a helicopter which would increase its patrol capability. A possible solution would be an up-armed version of the Royal Navy's River Class patrol boats.

[edit] Naval fleet

An Iraqi patrol craft in Manama, Bahrain prior to being delivered to the Iraqi Navy

5 Predator Class patrol boats
24 fast aluminium boats
6 Al-Uboor class patrol boats
600 sailors and officers, including 200 in the Iraqi Naval Battalion (marines) who guard the platforms.

[edit] Future procurement

On February 15, 2006 the Iraqi Navy ordered 4 Diciotti class Offshore-Patrol Vessels built by the Italian firm Fincantieri. The ships are due to be delivered within the first 6 months of 2009 and phased at 3 month intervals. The deal, which is worth $101 million, will also include the training of crew and maintenance personnel.

The Diciotti class patrol boat is 52-54 m long and can go at speeds in excess of 20 knots (37 km/h). They are also used by the Italian Guardia Costiera and the Maltese Maritime Squadron. When they enter service they will be used to patrol the exclusive economic zone, control maritime traffic, and for search and rescue and fire fighting.