In order to support Ukraine's ability to better control its coastline, waterways and ports and protect them against the Russian invasion, the USA is supplying a total of 23 Metal Shark aluminium small boats (Franklin and Jeanerette, Louisiana) at short notice. These are believed to be 6 Defiant-45 boats, 14 Defiant-38 boats with a centre console or some with a cockpit and 3 Fearless-36 high-speed interceptor boats.
Metal Shark Defiant-45 patrol boat. Photo: metalsharkboats.com
Customised
The boats have reportedly been under negotiation with Kiev since 2019 and are therefore customised for Ukraine's needs. However, the overall programme has been significantly accelerated since the Russian invasion. The first six boats are said to already be on their way, while the rest are still being "welded" on the production lines 100 kilometres west of New Orleans. Although the boats are quite small, only 10 to 15 metres long, they are fast, shallow-water capable, difficult to fight and robust. They are also light and transportable. And they fit in with the Ukrainian armed forces' pattern of action.
Metal Shark Defiant-38 inshore patrol boat. Photo: metalsharkboats.com
This is what "Military Assistance" looks like!
There is so much pressure behind US deliveries to Ukraine that the Pentagon has just agreed to the thirteenth presidential "drawdown" (since August 2021). This is a procedure in which, on the instructions of the US President, material is withdrawn from use by the US armed forces in order to make it available to other armed forces. The package currently being shipped to Europe, worth around half a billion dollars, naturally contains a lot of ammunition and artillery, but also these first six boats. In total, the aid provided by the USA to Ukraine since 24 February 2022 currently amounts to 6.1 billion dollars.
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