US to equip Island class patrol boats for Ukraine with six Gun Weapon systems.

According to information published by the US DoD on August 7, 2023, Washington-based Safe Boats International LLC has received a $22,271,829 firm-fixed-price adjustment to the earlier contract N00024-21-C-2201.
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Ukrainian Island-class patrol boat Sloviansk. (Picture source: US Marines)

This modification is for the acquisition and installation of six Gun Weapon Systems on the Island Class patrol boats, along with additional spare parts. The work is scheduled to take place in Tacoma, Washington, and is anticipated to be finalized by October 2024.

In 2018, Ukraine got a boost in its naval capacity when it was gifted the Cushing and its counterpart, Drummond, by the U.S. Navy's International Programs Office.

This marked a departure for the Ukrainian Navy, which had primarily been using ships from the former Soviet Black Sea Fleet. With the addition of these Island-class patrol boats, originally made in the U.S., the two vessels underwent refurbishments and tech updates.

Technical data

The Island-class patrol boat is a class within the United States Coast Guard. Of the 49 vessels initially built, 7 remain in active commission, identifiable by hull numbers WPB-1301 through WPB-1349.

They have a displacement of 168 tons, a length of 110 feet (34 m), a beam of 21 feet (6.4 m), and a draft of 7.3 feet (2.2 m).

These vessels are powered by either 2 Paxman Valenta or Caterpillar diesel engines, allowing them to reach speeds up to 29.5 knots (54.6 km/h). Their operational range is approximately 2,900 nautical miles (5,400 km), with an endurance of 5 days at sea.

For operations, the Island-class can accommodate a Cutter Boat Medium equipped with a Yamaha 90 HP outboard engine. The standard crew is made up of 16 members: 2 officers and 14 enlisted.

In terms of equipment, these boats have an AN/SPS-73 radar. Their armament comprises a Mk 38 25 mm chain gun and two M2 .50-cal machine guns. They are not designed to carry aircraft.