The following is the text of a news release from Willard Marine:
(ANAHEIM, Calif.) — Willard Marine, a 56-year-old builder of composite and aluminum boats, has received an order to supply the Ukrainian navy with four aluminum patrol boats, with an option for a fifth.
Under the contract, issued by the U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sales (FMS) office, Willard Marine is supplying two Sea Force 11-meter and two Sea Force 7-meter aluminum patrol boats, each with an open cockpit configuration. An additional 7-meter patrol boat will be supplied upon request.
The 11-meter boats are powered by Cummins QSB 5.9 380 HP engines and Hamilton model HJ292 water jets. The 7-meter boats are each equipped with a Cummins QSB 5.9 230 HP engine and a Mercruiser sterndrive. Willard Marine will also provide comprehensive onsite crew training in the design, operation, maintenance and repair of the boats.
The high-speed aluminum patrol boats will be used by the Ukrainian navy for Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operations and other naval operations as required.
“This repeat order from the Ukrainian navy reaffirms Willard Marine’s position as a leading manufacturer of aluminum-hull RIBs for military applications,” said Ulrich Gottschling, president of Willard Marine. “This is our third FMS order for the Ukrainian navy, and we have developed an excellent working relationship with them over the last few years.”
