United to win: US grants Metal Shark speedboats to strengthen Ukrainian border security

The United States of America has provided the State Border Service of Ukraine's Maritime Guard with state-of-the-art high-speed boats from the Metal Shark company. These boats are equipped with advanced navigation and control systems, automatic fire suppression, and video cameras for surveillance.

The State Border Service reported that on its website.

What is the problem?

Ukraine should increase its presence in both maritime and river areas. Boats are crucial in ensuring our country's security.

"Currently, we have a real need to ensure the security component – to have such boats. Our capabilities allow us to utilize them to their full potential, surpassing their tactical and technical capabilities," Humeniuk, former director of the joint press center of the operational command "South," said earlier.

What is the solution?

The US government transferred the boats as part of a joint project with the ODC Defense Cooperation Division, actively supported by the EXBS Export Control and Border Security Program.

As US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink wrote, these boats will allow more ships to export grain and other vital goods to world markets, supporting Ukrainian farmers and businesses and the country's economy.

How does it work?

According to the Ukrainian maritime border guards, these boats are: 

• extremely fast,
• highly maneuverable, 
• comfortable, 
• user-friendly.

^{Photo: State Border Service}

The State Border Service reminded that last year, military personnel from among the ship and boat personnel of the Maritime Guard units underwent training in managing and operating small patrol boats.

Practical training took place in the USA, directly based on the shipbuilding company Metal Shark, which specializes in manufacturing boats with aluminum hulls.

^{Photo: State Border Service}

"Today, American boats have already become reliable iron companions of the sea and river border sailors and are involved in protecting and defending the state border of Ukraine, covering the surface situation, etc. In particular, these boats are also involved in ensuring the security component of the maritime corridor in the Black Sea," the border guards emphasized.

^{Photo: State Border Service}

^{Photo: State Border Service}

The exact type of boats handed over to the Ukrainian border guards is not disclosed; however, in the post, the US ambassador used a photo of the Metal Shark 45 Defiant patrol boat.

Such boats have an all-aluminum construction, a hull length of 13.8 meters, and a width of 4.6 meters. They can develop a speed of 35-40 knots.

For reference:

It's worth mentioning that officials from the Ukrainian side intercepted the ship Usko Mfu on the Danube River. The vessel had entered Ukrainian waters after traveling to the temporarily occupied city of Sevastopol on the Crimean peninsula.