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COMBAT & PATROL CRAFT “2016 to 2025 looks great for boat builders and FMS clients because of tremendous demand from the Middle East –

Saudi Arabia and others – for the U.S. Navy to deliver.” – Shehraze Shah, Swiftships CEO 7.8 meter rib their bread and butter for past 15 years. Speci? c Military Sales has been considerable,” Shehraze Shah, the output numbers weren’t given but Ribcraft says that they’ve company’s CEO, said last month. “Meanwhile, our Latin turned out several per month for the past 15 years. America team has focused on building customers in that

According to ribcraft, the 7m RIB and its mission set has region by offering co-production via U.S. Direct Com- evolved over time. Initially used as a ready service life boat, mercial Sales for 15-meter to 28-meter vessels.” but now, it is much more than that. Today, it is deployed Two major avenues that exist for overseas business are For- for security, boarding, interdiction, perimeter guarding eign Military Sales, with the U.S. Department of Defense as (preventing “Cole” style attacks). The vessel’s engine selec- negotiator, and Direct Commercial Sales, Shah explained. tion, like that of many competitors, is driven by customer DCS is arranged directly between a vendor and a customer, requirements, usually a function of which OEM is clos- with an export license issued by the State Department to est and can provide timely service. All Ribcraft models are meet International Traf? c in Arms Regulations or ITAR. manufactured domestically in New England. Swiftships’ 75-meter OPVs are intended to join the

Separately, Ribcraft recently announced the delivery of Combined Task Force, a U.S.-led, anti-piracy coalition in a specialized RIBCRAFT 7.8 for patrol and enforcement the Horn of Africa. The company’s PBs monitor the con- operations to the City of Decatur, Alabama. The 25’ pur- tinental shelf in the Persian Gulf, and its CPCs are used pose built mission speci? c RIB will be used by the Deca- to combat terrorism and militant threats. Both models tur Police Department for tactical operations and on wa- are used for counterintelligence and drug seizures. OPVs ter patrols. Decatur’s 7.8 also features CBRN capabilities perform counter-threat and rescue missions. Of note, (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) for an Swiftships has leased and will move to 90 acres of yards advanced defense strategy. in Morgan City, LA. The facilities will include 400-foot by 300-foot construction bays, with 30 acres of expansion

Swiftships: Leveraging FMS, DCS programs space for future, composite-hull builds.

Morgan City, LA-based Swiftships has been in talks to provide Middle Eastern and North African navies with Silver Ships: military support craft vessels ranging from 14 meters to 75 meters. “Interest in At Alabama-based Silver Ships, Inc. “We’re mid-way our 28-meter Coastal Patrol Craft (CPC), 35-meter Pa- through our second year in a ? ve-year inde? nite-delivery, trol Boats (PB), 45-meter Fast Missile Boat (FMB) and inde? nite-quantity IDIQ contract with the U.S. Navy for 75-meter Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), via U.S. Foreign 11-meter cabin and center console, Surface Support Craft

June 2015

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