According to information published by the website Save the Royal Navy on September 18, 2020, the United Kingdom could provide 8 Barzan-class fast attack craft to Ukraine. In August 2020, it was announced that the UK launches multinational training to enhance Ukrainian Navy against threats from the East.
According to information published by the website Save the Royal Navy on September 18, 2020, the United Kingdom could provide 8 Barzan-class fast attack craft to Ukraine. In August 2020, it was announced that the UK launches multinational training to enhance Ukrainian Navy against threats from the East.
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Barzan-class fast attack craft of the Qatar Emiri Navy. (Picture source Military Edge website)
Citing the website "Save the Royal Navy", an Ukrainian media has reported the UK also offered a loan of £1.2 billion, to be repaid over about 10 years, in order to finance the construction of 8 missile boats based on the Vosper Thornycroft-designed Barzan class vessels built for Qatar in the 1990s. The first two ships would be constructed in the UK with a technology and skills transfer to allow the remaining 6 vessels to be completed in Ukraine. If this project is agreed, the UK is apparently ready to finance other similar projects for the Ukrainian Navy.
The Barzan-class is a fast attack craft designed by British shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft for the Qatar Emiri Navy. The Qatari navy operates four BARZAN-class guided-missile patrol boats, which were ordered in 1992. HULL: The class has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. The design is based on Vosper-Thornycroft (56-m) patrol craft built for Kenya and Oman in the 1980s.
A fast attack craft (FAC) is a small, fast, agile and offensive warship armed with anti-ship missiles, guns, or torpedoes. A FAC is usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water.
In 2012, a contract was awarded to Thales to upgrade the Barzan Class. This included the modernization of the radars, combat system, counter-measures, and communication systems.
The armament of the Barzan-class includes two four-cell launchers able to launch MM40 Exocet surface-to-surface sea-skimming missiles manufactured by MBDA. The missile has a range from 4 to 70 km and is fitted with a warhead of 165 kg. The ship is also armed with surface-to-air missiles Mistral which have a range of 4 km. The front deck is fitted with an Oto Melara 76mm / 62 Super Rapid naval gun which has a range of 16 km.
The Barzan-class is powered by four MTU 20V 538 TB93 diesel engines developing 18.740 hp. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 35 kt with a maximum range of 1,800 nm at 12 kt.
