Once bitten but not twice shy: Iraq revisits idea of buying Italian ships
Iraq in 2017 finally received two corvettes ordered from Fincantieri in 1980. (Photo: IISS/Twitter)
On 6 January 2022, the Commander of the Iraqi Naval Forces, Maj Gen Ahmed Jasim Maarij, announced to Iraqi TV station Al Iraqiya that the navy would acquire new equipment later in the year.
A spokesman for the Commander-in-Chief of the Iraqi Armed Forces, Maj Gen Yahya Rasoul, went further in the same broadcast by specifying that Italian ships with missile capabilities would be bought.
As it is highly unlikely that Iraq can afford to buy new-build vessels from Italy, second-hand ships are a more realistic possibility.
In particular, three Maestrale-class frigates are available for acquisition. Eight ships in this class entered
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Naval Warfare
-
US Coast Guard enhances Arctic protection with a new Fast Response Cutter
After commissioning, FRC Frederick Mann will operate in Alaska and perform multiple missions.
-
US Coast Guard announces measures to further implement Force Design 2028 strategy
The US Coast Guard (USCG) created new units, including five Programme Executive Offices (PEOs), to facilitate and speed up the procurement of new capabilities.
-
Future of the US Navy’s Arleigh Burke programme remains unclear
The US Navy does not have a precise date for the award of the procurement contract for the third Arleigh Burke-class destroyer despite having the funds to advance with the programme in FY2025.
-
US Navy may look to foreign suppliers to accelerate shipbuilding programmes
The US Navy (USN) is currently reassessing its acquisition efforts and seeking ways to reduce the multiple delays across the shipbuilding initiatives.
-
Italy orders two ships as work begins on others along with deliveries and updates
The Italian Navy is being refreshed with two new ships ordered, while in the past six months steel was cut for a new frigate, an enhanced frigate was delivered and Horizon-class frigates passed a design review.