Tiny Iraq navy to flex muscle as oil guardian
3 posters
Page 1 of 1
Tiny Iraq navy to flex muscle as oil guardian
Tiny Iraq navy to flex muscle as oil guardian
Wed Jul 9, 2008 5:16am EDTUMM QASR, Iraq, July 9 (Reuters) - Iraq's fledgling navy of battered patrol boats is bulking up for a greater role in protecting the country's economic heart, its offshore oil terminals, officials said.
Putting on muscle to protect the two terminals that account for 90 percent of Iraq's revenues, the tiny navy is aiming to boost manpower by about a third to 2,500 in two years and greatly expand its fleet, now centred on five Chinese-made Predator patrol boats.
More control over its wreck-ridden waters at the head of the Gulf is another sign of Iraq's determination to secure its oil infrastructure and reserves, the world's third largest.
A military crackdown three months ago on Shi'ite militias restored government control over Basra province, site of the navy's riverside base at Umm Qasr.
"We're continuing to work year by year on what will come next. The Iraqi navy will be transformed into something bigger than it is now," operations chief Commodore Ahmed Maarij, a 25-year navy veteran, told Reuters on Monday.
The navy's goal is to take on more duties from U.S., British and Australian warships that now patrol the two terminals, the al-Basra facility, capable of loading four tankers, and the single-berth Khur al-Amaya.
The fleet's tiny size means only one Iraq vessel at a time can make the four-hour voyage out of the muddy Khur Abdullah waterway to the terminals to join the patrol.
Iraqi marines, also expanding under the navy growth programme, are stationed on the terminals.
"That is the key strategic piece. They are the maritime heartbeats of Iraq," said Captain Phil Warwick of Britain's Royal Navy. Warwick is head of a U.S.-British team training and assisting the Iraq navy and marines.
VULNERABILITY
The oil terminals' vulnerability was underscored in 2004 when suicide bombers launched boat attacks that killed three U.S. sailors.
The navy also has a major role in security at Umm Qasr, entry point for 80 percent of Iraq's imports and running at capacity since the military crackdown in Basra improved security. Iraqi marines provide land security for the port.
Under the expansion plan, Iraq is buying 15 patrol boats from Malaysia, set to arrive in July 2009, and five patrol ships from Italy, along with other equipment. The purchases are to be completed in 2011.
"Essentially, we're going to double the size of the navy overnight. And for any navy, or any armed force, that's quite a challenge," said Lieutenant Commander Charles Maynard of the Royal Navy, the training group's operations officer.
With a desert wind kicking up a chop on the Khur Abdullah waterway, Iraqi sailors aboard the patrol boat Sorraq drilled on intercepting boats, putting out an engine fire and raising and cleaning the anchor and chain.
Many of those training were in their 30s or older, veterans who had served in the navy under Saddam Hussein.
"Some of the crew are going to get to go to other countries to train on the new ships. Everybody is excited about that," said Sergeant Kadhim Zubair, 42, who ran the training session. (Editing by Dominic Evans)
Wed Jul 9, 2008 5:16am EDTUMM QASR, Iraq, July 9 (Reuters) - Iraq's fledgling navy of battered patrol boats is bulking up for a greater role in protecting the country's economic heart, its offshore oil terminals, officials said.
Putting on muscle to protect the two terminals that account for 90 percent of Iraq's revenues, the tiny navy is aiming to boost manpower by about a third to 2,500 in two years and greatly expand its fleet, now centred on five Chinese-made Predator patrol boats.
More control over its wreck-ridden waters at the head of the Gulf is another sign of Iraq's determination to secure its oil infrastructure and reserves, the world's third largest.
A military crackdown three months ago on Shi'ite militias restored government control over Basra province, site of the navy's riverside base at Umm Qasr.
"We're continuing to work year by year on what will come next. The Iraqi navy will be transformed into something bigger than it is now," operations chief Commodore Ahmed Maarij, a 25-year navy veteran, told Reuters on Monday.
The navy's goal is to take on more duties from U.S., British and Australian warships that now patrol the two terminals, the al-Basra facility, capable of loading four tankers, and the single-berth Khur al-Amaya.
The fleet's tiny size means only one Iraq vessel at a time can make the four-hour voyage out of the muddy Khur Abdullah waterway to the terminals to join the patrol.
Iraqi marines, also expanding under the navy growth programme, are stationed on the terminals.
"That is the key strategic piece. They are the maritime heartbeats of Iraq," said Captain Phil Warwick of Britain's Royal Navy. Warwick is head of a U.S.-British team training and assisting the Iraq navy and marines.
VULNERABILITY
The oil terminals' vulnerability was underscored in 2004 when suicide bombers launched boat attacks that killed three U.S. sailors.
The navy also has a major role in security at Umm Qasr, entry point for 80 percent of Iraq's imports and running at capacity since the military crackdown in Basra improved security. Iraqi marines provide land security for the port.
Under the expansion plan, Iraq is buying 15 patrol boats from Malaysia, set to arrive in July 2009, and five patrol ships from Italy, along with other equipment. The purchases are to be completed in 2011.
"Essentially, we're going to double the size of the navy overnight. And for any navy, or any armed force, that's quite a challenge," said Lieutenant Commander Charles Maynard of the Royal Navy, the training group's operations officer.
With a desert wind kicking up a chop on the Khur Abdullah waterway, Iraqi sailors aboard the patrol boat Sorraq drilled on intercepting boats, putting out an engine fire and raising and cleaning the anchor and chain.
Many of those training were in their 30s or older, veterans who had served in the navy under Saddam Hussein.
"Some of the crew are going to get to go to other countries to train on the new ships. Everybody is excited about that," said Sergeant Kadhim Zubair, 42, who ran the training session. (Editing by Dominic Evans)
orlandosf- Posts : 25
Join date : 2008-07-05
Re: Tiny Iraq navy to flex muscle as oil guardian
Ride in a small speedy boat... but carry a great big fat American made hellfire or two and voila!!! Security of the off shore rigs!
grizzly bear- Posts : 16
Join date : 2008-06-24
Re: Tiny Iraq navy to flex muscle as oil guardian
I'm sure we've got more than a few unused water craft laying around that they could have. You know how thrifty our government is when it comes to spending money. There's a guy in our town who owns 5 tanks. All but one ran when he aquired them. Total price paid for all 5......................$24,000.00 One of them has been fitted with rubber tracks. He brings it out every year for one of our annual parades. Not sure of the model, but it tips the scales at 37 tons.
Money4Nothin'- Posts : 15
Join date : 2008-07-06
Similar topics
» Chinese c.bank sets yuan mid-point at 6.8567
» Israeli threats stiffen Iran's resolve
» Vietnam Considers Navy Exercises with US, as Hospital Ship Visits
» Iraq President says US-Iraqi Security Deal No Threat to Iraq's Neighbors
» U.S. says withdrawal from Iraq to be conditioned
» Israeli threats stiffen Iran's resolve
» Vietnam Considers Navy Exercises with US, as Hospital Ship Visits
» Iraq President says US-Iraqi Security Deal No Threat to Iraq's Neighbors
» U.S. says withdrawal from Iraq to be conditioned
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|
Fri Nov 21, 2014 7:52 am by Lenmon
» IIF Website is Down - March 06, 2009
Fri Mar 06, 2009 1:30 am by ayesha
» IIF is back up!
Sat Dec 13, 2008 12:39 am by MyDreamFuture
» WHY CAN'T I POST IN OTHER TOPICS????
Thu Dec 04, 2008 4:34 pm by anaconda_dinar_sheik
» NUEVO FORO PERMANENTE
Sat Sep 27, 2008 2:11 pm by COQUI COQUI
» Iraqi sport figure assassinated, civilian killed, four arrested in Mosul !
Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:59 pm by COQUI COQUI
» The U.S. accepted the French advice on SOFA !
Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:57 pm by COQUI COQUI
» Iraq: Kurdish politician killed in disputed region
Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:28 pm by COQUI COQUI
» Main site down again?
Sat Sep 27, 2008 1:10 pm by RealHope