The Iraqi naval forces' three Type 55 SAT special operations support and fast attack craft, with pennant numbers P 1011, P 1012, and P 1013, have officially entered service. (Ares Shipyard)
The Iraqi naval forces' three new Type 55 SAT special operations support and fast attack craft have officially entered service.
Announcing the milestone on 7 March, Türkiye's Ares Shipyard, which built the vessels under subcontract to ENM Korea, said the new boats have now commenced patrol duties in and around Umm Qasr in southern Iraq.
The Type 55 SAT boats were ordered by the Iraqi Ministry of Defence from ENM Korea under a contract awarded in October 2022. Construction began at Ares Shipyard's facilities in Antalya on 7 October 2022 and the three units, with pennant numbers P 1011, P 1012 and P 1013, were delivered to the Iraqi naval forces in December 2024.
The all-aluminium vessels have an overall length of 19.1 m, a 4.1 m beam, and a draught of 1 m. They are powered by twin diesel engines and two waterjets to provide a top speed of 45 kt.
Armament includes one Aselsan Stamp stabilised remote-controlled naval weapon system and two 12.7 mm machine guns. Other equipment on board includes a suite of naval communications equipment, an electro-optic (EO) sensor, and an X-band radar.
The boats are designed for fast patrol, surveillance, protection of critical infrastructure, and asymmetric warfare operations.
For more information, please seeAres Shipyard secures Qatar contract for fast interceptor craft .
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