Ukraine is negotiating the purchase of 22 French patrol ships for the needs of the State Border Service, and observation towers are being erected on the coast of the Sea of Azov, Ukraine’s State Border Service Head Petro Tsyhykal has said.
“With the assistance of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, negotiations are underway with French partners on the purchase of 22 modern patrol ships,” Tsyhykal said in an interview with TV Channel 5, noting the purchase would give the border service the ability to completely cover the sea borderline and provide reliable protection.
“Another important element is the control system for the surface situation. Now, five towers have already been built on the coast of the Sea of Azov. They will be equipped with modern means of visual and radio control during the year. These facilities will be integrated into the overall defense system and will help us to fully control the maritime border,” he said.
Tsyhykal said the task of the State Border Service is to create powerful and mobile groups of border ships and boats in the Azov and Black Seas, which can quickly and efficiently perform both law enforcement functions and counteract military threats at the initial stage of armed conflict.
