Iraqi naval forces receive fast patrol boats from Ares Shipyard

The sterns of Ares Shipyard's three Type 55 SAT fast attack craft, delivered to the Iraqi naval forces in December 2024. (Ares Shipyard)

Ares Shipyard in Türkiye has delivered three Type 55 SAT special operations support and fast attack craft for the Iraqi naval forces.

The main contractor, ENM Korea, signed a contract for the construction of three Type 55 SAT coastguard boats for the Iraqi Naval Forces Command, with the keels of these vessels laid in October 2022.

The boats are designed for fast patrol, surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, and asymmetric warfare operations. They are equipped with one Aselsan Stamp stabilised remote-controlled naval weapon system and two manually operated 12.7 mm machine guns. In addition, they feature a suite of naval communications equipment, an electro-optic (E/O) sensor, and an X-band radar.

Equipped with active stabilisation systems and water-jet propulsion, the vessels can achieve speeds exceeding 45 kt, enabling them to perform rapid interception operations.

While the contract specified Type 55 boats with a length of 17.10 m, the Iraqi vessels were extended to an overall length of 19.10 m. The boats have a beam of 4.80 m and a draught of 1 m. They are powered by two diesel engines with water-jet propulsion, and are constructed from marine-grade aluminium.

Ares Shipyard did not provide information on the delivery date of the boats.

For more information, please see Ares 55 SAT class (SPECIAL OPERATIONS PATROL CRAFT) (PBF) , Ares Shipyard secures Qatar contract for fast interceptor craft , and Türkiye's domestic USV development project makes progress .