International collaboration leads to increase of Iraqi navy maritime fleet

Courtesy Photo | (Left to right) Italian Director General of Naval Armament Construction, Admiral Dino Nascetti and Iraq Ministry of Defense Chief of Staff, General Babaker Baderkhan Al Zibari board the FATAH at the reflagging ceremony in La Spezia, Italy, May 15.  

SPEZIA, IRAQ

05.15.2009

Courtesy Story

Multi-National Security Transition Command Iraq Public Affairs

SPEZIA, Italy —The Iraqi navy now has an increased ability to ensure freedom of the seas upon their receipt of the first of four Italian patrol ships at a reflagging ceremony in La Spezia, Italy, May 15.

Iraq Ministry of Defense Chief of Staff, Gen. Babaker Baderkhan Al Zibari said that he considered it a great success and achievement for the Iraqi navy to attain vessels like the FATAH.

"We have had great coordination with the United States and United Kingdom in protecting our ports and oil rigs," said Al Zibari. "The Italian navy has provided excellent training on this vessel which can help us be self-independent and modernize our naval security."

Italian Director General of Naval Armament Construction, Admiral Dino Nascetti added that these ships were designed to help ensure the Iraqi navy can succeed in improving maritime security.

"This is a piece of Iraqi land moving at sea protecting their land and democracy," said Nascetti. "Over 80% of Iraqi's economy passes through two off shore oil terminals and I think in a very few months these ships will be able to do their job of protecting Iraq."

The chief of the Iraqi inspection team, Commodore Milik Kadhim said this class of ships main job will be search and rescue, patrolling around the oil platforms and helping if there is a fire on a platform.

The Italian navy has provided an escort ship to continue training opportunities and coordinate interactions with coalition warships with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe and U.S Naval Forces Central Command, according to Multi-National Security Transition Command — Iraq Public Affairs Officer, Van Williams.

"The Iraqi ministry of defense purchased the patrol ship [the first of four] by utilizing the Foreign Military Sales program, which is run by the MNSTC-I Security Assistance Office" said Williams. "This effort is part of the continuous rebuilding of the Iraqi navy and is a vital step towards ensuring Iraq's self-sufficiency during the critical transition from coalition to Iraqi-led operations in support of the Security Agreement between Iraq and the United States."

Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri will deliver the other three ships in the fleet to the Iraqi navy as they are completed later this summer.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2009
• Date Posted: 05.18.2009 01:50
• Story ID: 33734
• Location: SPEZIA, IQ