§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the current strength of the Iraqi national maritime patrol force; and what vessels it has in service. [HL3892]
§ Lord BachThe "Iraqi national maritime patrol force" includes both the Iraqi Riverine Patrol Directorate (IRPD) and the Iraqi Coastal Defence Force (ICDF).
There are currently 459 personnel in the IRPD and the current holdings are as follows: Six Boston Whalers used for port security; six Searider Rigid Inflatable Boats (RIBs) used for riverine patrol and port security; four Dorys used for training and port security; two ballistic RIBs with a further two due mid-Aug and the final two due four to six weeks later.
There are currently 265 personnel in the ICDF with a further 125 undergoing basic training. The IDCF is currently operating five 27m Predator class Patrol Boats each with a crew of 12. It also has five 22ft Arctic RIBs and this will increase to 10 in September. These will be used for boarding operations.
§ Lord Astor of Heverasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the arrangements for co-operation between the Iraqi national maritime patrol force and coalition forces for the protection of offshore Iraqi oil installations. [HL3893]
§ Lord BachIt is assumed that the reference to the "Iraqi national maritime patrol force" is to the Iraqi Riverine Patrol Directorate and the Iraqi Coastal Defence Force (ICDF).
The ICDF does not yet have a capability to protect its oil installations at sea. It is currently being trained by coalition forces through the Coalition Maritime Assistance Training Team (CMATT) and will take responsibility for oil installation security when it is in a position to do so. Coalition forces currently have full responsibility for security of the oil installations and the firm arrangements for co-operation with the ICDF are being exercised through the CMATT.