Royal Jordanian Naval Force to receive two patrol boats

US-based Marine Group Boat Works has been awarded a near-$49 million modification to a previously awarded contract for the delivery of two 37m patrol boats, communications equipment and technical assistance to the Royal Jordanian Naval Force (RJNF). 

According to the US DoD work will be performed at Chula Vista, California, and is expected to be completed by September 2023. The contract was not competitively procured. 

It is not known upon which design the patrol boats will be based, but they will be a similar length to the Island-class cutters operated by the USCG. 

The Royal Jordanian Navy operates a number of patrol craft from its base in Aqaba on the shores of the Gulf of Aqaba, and is its only direct outlet to the Red Sea.

Having previously looked to the UK for the supply of vessels, in recent years Amman has looked to the United States. In 2019 Fincantieri Marinette Marine and Vigor announced the delivery of two 14m Response Boat-Mediums to the USCG, as part of an FMS to Jordan through the Department of Homeland Security. 

In 2015 the US State Department approved a possible FMS of 35m coastal patrol boats to Jordan for an estimated $80 million. Included in the possible sale were two MSI Defence Systems Seahawk A2 DS30M-30mm systems, MK44 Bushmaster weapons, and more than 5,000 round of practice tracer and high-explosive incendiary rounds.

The RJNF’s primary roles include littoral maritime security missions and SAR, among others. 

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