KIEV, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- Ukraine has received two Island-class patrol vessels from the United States, the Ukrainian Naval Forces said Friday.
The handover ceremony took place on Thursday at the U.S. Coast Guard Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, with the presence of Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the naval forces said on Facebook.
Last month, Ukraine's state-run Ukrinform news agency said that the vessels were to be transferred to Ukraine for free, but their preparation, equipment and transportation would be covered by funds from the Ukrainian budget.
Ukrinform said the Island-class vessels were equipped with advanced electronics and navigation equipment and were used in support of the U.S. Coast Guard's maritime security, drug interdiction and defense operations.
Experts said the vessels will help Ukraine enhance its maritime security in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
