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Iraq navy takes delivery of Italian-made patrol ship
Baghdad (AFP) May 15, 2009 The Iraqi navy on Friday took delivery of the first of four Italian-made patrol ships, the US military said, adding that it will set sail from Italy for home waters later this month. The Fatah, meaning to conquer or victory, was re-flagged to Iraq after its completion at the Fincantieri shipyard in La Spezia, Italy, the US military said in a statement. The flagship will sail 5,500 nautical miles from Italy through the Mediterranean, Suez Canal, and into the pirate-filled waters of the Gulf of Aden off Somalia, Straits of Hormuz and into Iraqi sovereign waters. The ship, which will be escorted variously by Italian, American and British warships, is expected in Iraq's Umm Qasr port on June 17. The voyage is expected to take 29 days. "The Italian Navy will provide an escort ship to continue training opportunities and coordinate interactions with coalition warships with the US Naval forces Europe and US Naval forces central command," the US statement said. "The lengthy transit will be the Iraqi Navy crew's first opportunity to develop confidence with their new ship." Iraq's navy is currently rebuilding itself after being destroyed in the 1991 Gulf War and 2003 US-led invasion. It now has about 2,000 sailors, and defence chiefs aim to boost its manpower to 6,500 in the next two to three years. The long voyage from Italy will be the first time the new navy has travelled outside Arabian waters, and is the first such journey for the force in decades. Thirty-four men are currently being trained in Italy to sail the 390-tonne Saettia-class patrol ship. Share This Article With Planet Earth
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