Iraq buys former built corvettes &frigates from Italy

[1000]

LINK: analisidifesa.it/2014/05/accordo-tra-fincantieri-e-iraq-per-le-corvette-tipo-550/

Several corvettes and frigates built during the 80's but that haven't reached the navy due to the sanctions will be upgraded, refurbished and bought for a 300 mil dollar deal giving the navy attack capability & helicopter carrying capabilities, source says Iraq is negotiating NH-90 with France.

picture of 2 corvettes that will be upgraded and bought, both have helipads

Lupo class frigate that Iraq ordered in the 80's, similar will likely be bought

 

[Penguin]

Iraq ordered four Lupo-class frigates from CNR in 1980 as part of a naval expansion program just before the Iran-Iraq war. These ships, which feature a telescopic hangar were completed between 1985 and 1987. Due to restrictions on arm sales to Iraq because of the Iran-Iraq War placed by the Italian prime minister Craxi, the ships remained interned in Italy until the end of that war in 1988. Iraqi President Husseinthen tried to renegotiate the price of these ships (and the other ships purchased from Italy), claiming he should receive a discount due the delay in delivery of the ships. Negotiations and court proceedings were still ongoing when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and a new arms embargo against Iraq was placed by the United Nations, again blocking the sale. In 1993 all of them were seized and, after being refitted as patrol ships, incorporated to the Italian Marina Militare as the Soldati class in 1996. Changes made for Italian service included the removal of all ASW equipment. The four ships were Artiliere (pennant F 582), Aviere (F 583), Bersagliere (F 584) and Grenatiere (F 585), and are used in fleet escort or long range patrolling duties. The Soldati class is among the items the Philippines is taking into consideration for acquisition as the Philippines and Italy recently signed a 5-year agreement for a fast track procurement of Italian-supplied new and used military equipment.

These Lupo class ships are to gradually replaced by 4 new frigates (FREMM GP). F582 has already paid off, the other three are still in service. If Philippines don't take them, perhaps Iraq can acquire them used.

 

[Penguin]

The Laksamana class is a class of small missile corvettes comprising 4 ships currently in service with the Royal Malaysiuan Navy .

The Laksamana class corvettes were originally purchased by the Iraqi Navy as the Assad class corvettes, but whose delivery were delayed and later cancelled following international sanctions against Iraq following the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq.

In October 1995 the Malaysian Ministry of Finance signed a contract with Italian company Fincantieri for the supply of two 650t missile corvettes for the Royal Malaysian Navy. A further two missile corvettes were ordered in February 1997. Some specific aspects of the ships' design were modified and the ships were refitted to meet the requirements of the Royal Malaysian Navy.

Laksamana-class corvette - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Assad class corvette were originally built for Iraq during the Iran–Iraq War, by Fincantieri in Italy. Six ships were ordered in 1981. They were completed just before Operation Desert Storm, and were never delivered because of the UN arms embargo. Four of the six ships were sold to the

Assad-class corvette - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
.

Fincantieri: accordo con Iraq su corvette Saddam - Shipping e Cantieri - Mare - ANSA.it

Iraqi Armed Forces Forums منتدى القوات المسلحة العراقية - مشاهدة الموضوع - The Italian Ships that were never delivered

These are sisterships to the Ecuadorian Esmeralda class ships

I think it is just the last 2 remaining missile corvette that may go to Iraq. All else would be 'damages' to be paid.
Accordo tra Fincantieri e Iraq per le corvette Tipo 550 - Analisi Difesa

 

[Falcon29]

Why does Iraq need this?

 

[1000]

Why does Iraq need this?

for the off shore Basra oil terminal that lies 31KM off coast & future grand faw port

The corvettes ( & maybe frigates if ordered ) will offer some offensive naval capabilities to protect these important sites.

 

[-SINAN-]

You have the money.. why you are buying old stuff while you can order latest designed corvettes ?

 

[1000]

You have the money.. why you are buying old stuff while you can order latest designed corvettes ?

They paid Italian companies $300 mil to upgrade the 2 old corvettes with new systems.

Earlier there was news about buying 6 45 meter fast attack crafts
Iraqi navy to sign deal for 45m fast attack craft & 115m naval ship

Maybe they wanted 2 corvettes with quick delivery for a cheap price while they look at other stuff, it took them like 5 years to make a decision on a trainer which became the Korean T50, no idea why it takes them that long.

 

[-SINAN-]

They paid Italian companies $300 mil to upgrade the 2 old corvettes with new systems.

Earlier there was news about buying 6 45 meter fast attack crafts
Iraqi navy to sign deal for 45m fast attack craft & 115m naval ship

Maybe they wanted 2 corvettes with quick delivery for a cheap price while they look at other stuff, it took them like 5 years to make a decision on a trainer which became the Korean T50, no idea why it takes them that long.

Lol, in 5 years who would have built 2 Ada class corvettes for you.

 

[atlssa]

source says Iraq is negotiating NH-90 with France.

Few days ago you also said, according to your sources, the Rafale was offered to IqAF.

On what grounds you make such claims?
Would you able to provide us with any proof, a link maybe?

 

[Penguin]

You have the money.. why you are buying old stuff while you can order latest designed corvettes ?

They are not buying it: they had 4 frigates and 6 corvettes ordered and half paid for. The frigates went to the Italian navy. Four of the corvettes to the Malaysian navy. Two ships remain sitting in Italy, for a long time crewed but undelivered. So, they've finally reached a settlement.

WAR IN THE GULF: The Sidelines; Cream of Iraq's Navy Is Idled on the Riviera - New York Times

Iraqi government signed a settlement agreement with Italy on warships - Iraq's Dinar

 

[1000]

Few days ago you also said, according to your sources, the Rafale was offered to IqAF.

On what grounds you make such claims?
Would you able to provide us with any proof, a link maybe?

There's no link for the Rafale & NH-90 story, @halloweene another member on a different forum discussed this with him, it remains unknown.

There is a link for the 2 corvettes deal in Italian , copy & paste this since I can't post links, see post above me for another link.

analisidifesa.it/2014/05/accordo-tra-fincantieri-e-iraq-per-le-corvette-tipo-550/

 

[atlssa]

There's no link for the Rafale & NH-90 story, @halloweene another member on a different forum discussed this with him, it remains unknown.

Ok... Thank you for answering. As soon as you have more details, please let us know.

 

[l'ingénieur]

Interesting

 

[1000]

The 2 main cannons that will be installed on the 2 corvettes from Italy as part of the upgrade

As for anti ship missiles, the 1980's would have Otomat, that means the 2 corvettes will most likely be upgraded with Teseo MK2

Range: 180 KM
Speed : 1100 km/h

 

[1000]

These Lupo class ships are to gradually replaced by 4 new frigates (FREMM GP). F582 has already paid off, the other three are still in service. If Philippines don't take them, perhaps Iraq can acquire them used.

Lupo are old ships now, Iraq has the money. Don't you think it would be better to get 2 new FREMM GP, they are expanding the naval ports + building a large new port ( grand faw port ) with space for naval ships. Maybe sign an agreement with Oman for example to refuel/dock the naval ships so they can operate in the Gulf & beyond.

2 frigates + ~6 corvettes are sufficient for the Iraqi navy together with smaller patrol vassals.