Australia pledges additional patrol boats to strengthen Ukraine’s coastal defense
The package, including 14 military rigid-hull patrol boats valued at $9.2 million, adds to previous watercraft donations and brings Australia’s total support to almost $1 billion.
Australia will provide Ukraine with 14 rigid hull military patrol boats, the Australian Government Department of Defense reported on 5 November. The latest military support package, valued at A$14 million or $9.2 million, aims to strengthen Ukraine’s maritime and coastal defense capabilities, which have been crucial in their operations against Russian forces.
According to the press release, Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said in the official announcement:
“Australia remains firmly committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. This is in Australia’s interests, and is the right thing to do.”
The report omits specific boat models but states that the Australian Defense Force sea boats will enhance Ukraine’s maritime capabilities with fast, highly maneuverable vessels. Marles highlighted Ukraine’s success in maritime operations, stating that “Ukraine has demonstrated its ability to thwart Russia’s continued attacks from the Black Sea.”
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, Australia has provided more than A$1.3 billion ($860 million) in military support and over A$1.5 billion ($992 million) in overall assistance to Ukraine’s government, according to the press release.
This announcement builds upon Australia’s previous maritime support, including Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIB), which were announced during the Australian Deputy Prime Minister’s visit to Ukraine this spring, as Euromaidan Press reported earlier. Back then, the Australian government selected Sentinel 830R RHIB vessels for delivery to Ukrainian Defense Forces. The boats, manufactured by Sentinel Boats, are suitable for both river and sea operations.
This year has also seen other nations contributing to Ukraine’s maritime capabilities, with Canada and the US pledging boats and Sweden donating maritime surveillance jet skis.
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