Ares Shipyard, a prominent Turkish defense contractor, has recently delivered three Type 55 SAT Special Operations Support and Fast Attack Craft to the Iraqi Naval Forces. These advanced vessels are designed for versatile roles, including special forces insertion and extraction, rapid attack, surveillance, and patrolling missions, significantly enhancing Iraq’s naval operational capabilities. The Type 55 SAT boats are engineered for high-speed maneuvering and quick response, making them ideal for asymmetric warfare, protection of critical infrastructure, and fast patrol operations. They are equipped with cutting-edge technology, including an auto-stabilized remote-controlled naval weapon system that provides adaptable firepower for a range of combat scenarios. In addition, the vessels come with sophisticated naval communications equipment, electro-optic (E/O) sensors, and an X-band naval radar, ensuring enhanced operational efficiency in all weather conditions and under diverse mission profiles.
One of the key features of the Type 55 SAT craft is its multi-mission capability, further strengthened by the inclusion of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat (RHIB). This boat allows for boarding, interception, and other specialized operations, ensuring that the vessels remain highly versatile in complex mission environments. The boats also come equipped with two manually operated 12.7 mm machine guns, in addition to the primary stabilized weapon system, providing additional firepower for both defensive and offensive engagements. The vessels’ hulls are built using marine-grade aluminum, ensuring durability and resilience in harsh maritime environments. Their design incorporates advanced stabilization systems and water-jet propulsion, enabling speeds of over 45 knots. This high speed is essential for rapid interception operations, enabling the vessels to quickly respond to threats or execute critical missions. These boats are powered by two diesel engines paired with waterjets, offering both high speed and operational versatility.
The original specifications for the Type 55 SAT boats called for a length of 17.10 meters, but the Iraqi vessels have been extended to 19.10 meters to better accommodate the Iraqi Navy’s operational needs. The boats have a beam of 4.80 meters and a draft of 1 meter, offering a balance between speed, stability, and operational capacity. The construction of these vessels follows a contract signed by the main contractor, ENM Korea, which laid the keels for the boats in October 2022.The Type 55 SAT Special Operations Support and Fast Attack Craft are classified by the International Association of Classification Societies (IACS) and are designed with an overall length of 19.10 meters, a beam of 4.80 meters, and a hull draught of 1 meter. The vessels are built for rapid deployment and maneuvering in various maritime conditions, making them a vital asset to Iraq’s naval forces.
This delivery underscores the growing defense partnership between Turkey and Iraq and reflects both countries’ commitment to enhancing the Iraqi naval forces’ capabilities. As the vessels enter service, they will bolster Iraq’s maritime security efforts, improve special operations capabilities, and support the country’s broader defense objectives in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. This contract represents a significant step forward in strengthening Iraq’s naval capabilities and enhancing its defense posture, allowing the country to safeguard its territorial waters more effectively and engage in rapid response operations when necessary.
