Patrol Boat Launched, With Eye Toward Protecting Oil Facilities

The Iraqi navy has launched the first ship in a fleet of U.S.-built patrol boats meant to provide more naval security after the U.S. withdraws, Agence France-Presse reports.

The Iraqi navy is rapidly expanding so that it can protect key oil platforms and terminals through which most of the country's crude is exported.

In a Sunday ceremony at Umm Qasr Naval Base, Iraqi sailors demonstrated the capabilities of PB-301 in chasing smaller vessels.

Crews for the new high-speed...