On 12/30/2022, the Iraqi Ministry of Defense (MinDef) c/o Directorate General Armament Supply (DGAS) awarded Swiftships the Sole-Source Contract via Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) to procure Spares and Consumables for the Iraq Navy’s (IqN) Fleet in UmQasr, Iraq.

The contract allows IqN to procure spares for their fleet for Swiftships built 35m Patrol Boats, Safe Boats Defenders, and Offshore Support Vessels (OPVs). As part of an ongoing effort between Swiftships and the IqN, Swiftships will supply MTU (16V2000) engine parts, overhaul kits, oil, lubricants, filters, and Yamaha parts. This supply of parts and consumables will allow IqN to self-sustain its fleet operation and replenish its inventory using National Funds (NF). The spare parts and consumable award is the first of its kind, as Iraqi MinDef is modernizing their fleet sustainment approach and requirements.

As a new directive by IqN to support their Surface Ship Maintenance, Modernization, and Sustainment, Swiftships is dedicated to providing future vessels life cycle management for Iraqi MinDef in-service surface ships for managing critical maintenance. IqN has been maintaining these vessels under NAVSEA PMS 326 Program Office contract supported by VSE, Inc. This contract is part of a future Follow-On-Technical Support (FOTS) program. Apart from this award, Swiftships provided IqN fleet support from 2014-2018, where it was the primary technical interface with NAVSEA PMS326 (SEA21), ensuring surface ships had 75% operational readiness. As a result, IqN fleet operational readiness stood at a benchmark level of 80%.

IqN is the naval warfare service branch of the Armed forces of Iraq. Formed in 1937, initially as the Iraqi Coastal Defense Force, its primary responsibility was protecting Iraq’s coastline and offshore assets; the official name was changed on 12 January 2005 to Iraqi Naval Forces. As of February 2021, the Navy had approximately 3,000 sailors and marines, forming an Operational headquarters, five afloat squadrons, and two marine battalions.