Foreign Military Sale funding arms Ukrainian patrol boats
Mark VI patrol boat in US service. (Photo: USN/Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Griffin Kersting)
Safe Boats International is to provide and install four gun systems for Mark VI patrol boats that will be delivered to Ukraine.
Work on the baseline $14.56 million contract modification from Naval Sea Systems Command will be completed by January 2025 or September 2027 if all options are exercised, the DoD announced on 15 September.
Safe Boats will also provide spares and training services.
Ukraine is looking to procure up to 16 Mk VI patrol boats from the US at an estimated cost of $600 million via the FMS programme.
Weapons and subsystems include 32 MSI Seahawk A2 gun systems and 40 MK44 Bushmaster automatic cannons; 20 FLIR sensors; 16 LRAD 5km loudspeaker systems; 16 IFF systems and communications equipment, giving an average unit cost of $37.5 million each per fully equipped boat.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
Khabarovsk submarine launch reflects Russia’s nuclear modernisation progress
The nuclear-powered vessel, which could carry the Poseidon autonomous torpedo – dubbed the “doomsday missile” – marks another step forward in Russia’s maritime defence push.
-
Anduril Australia shows first Ghost Shark for RAN at factory opening
The new underwater vehicle has been described as an “important deterrent” thanks to its ability to operate undetected for extended periods of time.
-
US Navy extends the deadline for submitting proposals for the Next Generation Logistics Ship
NAVSEA plans to select up to three suppliers for the concept design phase of the programme in Q2 FY2026.
-
Advances in USV technology help develop tomorrow’s hybrid fleet
As services like the Royal Navy and US Navy aim to develop hybrid fleets to reduce reliance on and dangers to crewed vessels, L3Harris, Metal Shark and Red Cat step forward.