Fincantieri , TRIESTE, Italy: Fincantieri has won an order worth over 80 million euros for the construction of four patrol vessels for the Iraqi Navy.
The ships will be delivered within the first six months of 2009, phased at three months intervals one from the other.
Fincantieri was successful in winning the contract, which includes the provision of logistical support and training, also thanks to the valuable cooperation of the Italian Ministries of the Defence and Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in Baghdad.
The vessels, which will occupy a pivotal position in the patrol fleet of the Iraqi Navy, will play a similar role to that of the Italian Coastguard. They will be tasked with carrying out surveillance of the Exclusive Economic Zone, search and rescue operations, control of maritime traffic, including inspections on board ships in transit, as well as firefighting.
The Iraqi ships are based on the project Fincantieri developed for the Italian Coastguard (five
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