New Navy boats may arrive in Berdyansk port through Kerch Strait - commander

As Ukrinform reports, this was announced in an interview with UNIAN by Ukraine Navy Commander Oleksiy Neizhpapa.

“These are boats operating in the coastal zone, so to speak. Due to their small size, they will be very useful in the Sea of ​​Azov. The Danube and estuaries are also places where these boats can operate. They are fast, maneuverable, inconspicuous, and multifunctional. This boat is a universal small platform that can very quickly deliver a small personnel reserve to a given destination. It is perfect for special operations, including for deploying marines. Small counterstrike systems can be installed on it. They are like a magic wand for maintaining a favorable operational environment and ensuring the operation of our Fleet’s main forces. These boats and platforms will be used precisely for this purpose,” Neizhpapa said, adding that he expects Ukraine will receive 12 such boats.

The commander also noted that it is technically possible to deliver the boats to the Sea of ​​Azov, in particular, to Berdyansk, in two ways: "There are two ways, and they remain on the table – through the Kerch Strait and by land (the way Ukraine’s small armored boats were delivered)."

Asked whether the new boats would opt for sailing through the Kerch Strait, Neizhpapa said: “I think we will look into this option. We must reserve the right to have our vessels pass through the Kerch Strait. So we’ll see."

As Ukrinform reported earlier, on July 4, during the celebrations on the occasion of Ukraine’s Navy Day in Odesa region, President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States would start delivering to Ukraine Mark VI high-speed combat boats as early as next year.

In June 2020, the U.S. government completed the necessary procedure to approve the sale to Ukraine of 16 Mark VI patrol boats, as well as related equipment, for an estimated $600 million.

According to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency, in addition to 16 navy boats, 32 MSI Seahawk A2 guns will be sold to Ukraine, as well as 20 FLIR electro-optical infrared radars, 16 LRAD long-range acoustic devices, 16 IFF friend or foe identification systems, 40 MK44 guns, communication systems, auxiliary equipment; spare and repair parts, tools, test equipment, etc.

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