United Kingdom to provide 8 Barzan-class fast attack craft to Ukraine.

According to information published by the website Save the Royal Navy on September 18, 2020, the United Kingdom could provide 8 Barzan-class fast attack craft to Ukraine. In August 2020, it was announced that the UK launches multinational training to enhance Ukrainian Navy against threats from the East.
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Barzan-class fast attack craft of the Qatar Emiri Navy. (Picture source Military Edge website)

Citing the website "Save the Royal Navy", an Ukrainian media has reported the UK also offered a loan of £1.2 billion, to be repaid over about 10 years, in order to finance the construction of 8 missile boats based on the Vosper Thornycroft-designed Barzan class vessels built for Qatar in the 1990s. The first two ships would be constructed in the UK with a technology and skills transfer to allow the remaining 6 vessels to be completed in Ukraine. If this project is agreed, the UK is apparently ready to finance other similar projects for the Ukrainian Navy.

The Barzan-class is a fast attack craft designed by British shipbuilder Vosper Thornycroft for the Qatar Emiri Navy. The Qatari navy operates four BARZAN-class guided-missile patrol boats, which were ordered in 1992. HULL: The class has a steel hull and aluminum superstructure. The design is based on Vosper-Thornycroft (56-m) patrol craft built for Kenya and Oman in the 1980s.

A fast attack craft (FAC) is a small, fast, agile and offensive warship armed with anti-ship missiles, guns, or torpedoes. A FAC is usually operated in close proximity to land as they lack both the seakeeping and all-round defensive capabilities to survive in blue water.

In 2012, a contract was awarded to Thales to upgrade the Barzan Class. This included the modernization of the radars, combat system, counter-measures, and communication systems.

The armament of the Barzan-class includes two four-cell launchers able to launch MM40 Exocet surface-to-surface sea-skimming missiles manufactured by MBDA. The missile has a range from 4 to 70 km and is fitted with a warhead of 165 kg. The ship is also armed with surface-to-air missiles Mistral which have a range of 4 km. The front deck is fitted with an Oto Melara 76mm / 62 Super Rapid naval gun which has a range of 16 km. 

The Barzan-class is powered by four MTU 20V 538 TB93 diesel engines developing 18.740 hp. The ship can reach a maximum speed of 35 kt with a maximum range of 1,800 nm at 12 kt.