The US State Department has authorized Kiev to procure a 16-vessel Mark VI Patrol Boat fleet and associated weapons for around $600 million. Washington claims Kiev's current forces are inadequate to combat vessels from neighboring countries.
The US Department of Defense's Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) revealed on Wednesday that Washington and Kiev are one step closer to inking an estimated $600 million deal that would bolster Ukraine's nearly non-existent defense against nearby adversaries.
According to the June 17 release, Kiev is seeking to obtain 16 Mark VI Patrol Boats, 32 MSI Seahawk A2 gun systems, 20 Electro-Optics-Infrared Radar systems, 16 Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) 5-kilometer-range loudspeaker systems, 40 MK44 cannons and an array of additional equipment necessary for carrying out water-based operations.
The official went on to claim to the outlet that Ukraine needed the new military-grade shipments over what Washington has perceived as “persistent maritime threats” reportedly posed by Russian-led forces.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces should be able to “sustain river and littoral water patrols throughout Ukraine's [maritime] exclusive economic zone,” following the anticipated deal, the official said.
The DSCA release did not specify a particular threat to Kiev, but it did assert that the anticipated $600 million deal would benefit both Kiev and Washington.
“The proposed sale will improve Ukraine's capability to…
