The American company SAFE Boats International showed the construction of the Mark VI (ed. Mk VI) boats that Ukraine expects.

Militarnyi informs about this.

On December 30, the United States Department of Defense announced the implementation of the option to the previously concluded contract and the signing of an annex to the agreement dated September 2021, regarding the construction of six Mk VI-type patrol boats for Ukraine.

The option to build an additional two boats under the contract will continue to be carried out by the American shipbuilding company SAFE Boats International.

Thus, the number of ordered boats for the Naval Forces of Ukraine increased to 10.

SAFE Boats International has already unveiled a number of photos with the progress of the construction of patrol boats of the Mk VI type, and since in addition to the order for Ukraine, if they are relevant, these are the hulls for the Ukrainian Navy.

According to them, it can be seen that the degree of readiness of the shown is quite high and there is already the equipment of the hulls with auxiliary equipment.

While there are no combat modules on patrol boats, which under the initial agreement should be equipped with MSI Seahawk A2.

The press release SAFE Boats International noted that the contract of the US Department of Defense in the interests of the Ukrainian Navy allowed resuming work of the company’s production site in Tacoma in Washington State.

Mark VI

With about 84 feet (25 meters) in length, the Mark VI is a multifunctional platform and can reach a maximum speed of more than 35 knots. According to the basic characteristics, the boats have a maximum crew of 10 people and can accommodate up to 8 additional personnel.

Each crew consists of two teams, each team having a Commander, a patrol officer, a boatswain, a gunner, a mechanic, and a navigator. The MK VI uses two diesel engines, and has a speed of 45 knots (52 mph; 83 km/h).