Naval Training Team
32. The UK-led Naval Training Team (NaTT) based within
the Iraqi Navy compound at the southern Iraqi port of Umm Qasr
is made up of around 75 personnel from all three UK Services,
the US Navy and the US Marine Corps. Its mission is to mentor,
monitor and train the Iraqi Maritime Forces, both Navy and Marines.
Umm Qasr has vital strategic and economic importance to Iraq.
It is the country's only deep-water port, and the Iraqi Navy's
only significant gateway to the Northern Arabian Gulf.
33. When we visited the NaTT in July 2007, we were
briefed on ambitious plans to expand the Iraqi Navy to more than
double its size in terms of personnel by 2010 and to undertake
a major procurement project. When we returned in June 2008, we
were told that the plans, while challenging, were still broadly
on course. The Iraqi Navy's current capability was described as
adequate with the vessels and equipment already in Iraqi hands.
There are also plans to redevelop the base at Umm Qasr. This will
be a vital part of enhancing the Iraqi Navy's capabilities, as
many of the buildings are currently in poor condition.
34. The two main challenges facing the Iraqi Maritime
Forces are the undefined nature of Iraq's territorial waters,
especially in relation to Iran, and the protection of the two
off-shore oil platforms, the al-Basra Oil Terminal (ABOT) and
the Khawr al-Amaya Oil Terminal (KAAOT). These are vital to the
economic success of Iraq, as they account for around 90% of the
country's revenue.
35. The issue of Iraq's territorial waters is complex
and contentious. Under United Nations Security Council Resolution
1723, the UK is mandated to patrol the Shatt-al-Arab waterway
and the mouth of the Northern Arabian Gulf. This brings them into
close contact with Iranian naval units, Iran disputing the border
of its territorial waters with Iraq. There have been two major
clashes with Iranian units, in June 2004 and March 2007, which
have led to the seizure of UK personnel by Iranian forces.[8]
36. We visited the smaller KAAOT platform during
our recent visit to the Gulf and were briefed on the strategic
and economic importance of the oil platforms as well as the security
measures in place to protect them. While the principal burden
of providing defence falls on UK personnel, the Iraqi Maritime
Forces are assuming an increasing share of the responsibility.
We saw how Iraqi Marines work alongside UK and US Forces in defending
the oil platforms. We consider this further in Chapter 4, below.
37. The UK-led Naval Training Team is performing
a vital role in training and mentoring the Iraqi Navy, and we
pay tribute to the excellent work which UK Forces are doing at
Umm Qasr. It is clear to us that the mission of the NaTT is a
long-term one, and, while we understand that the UK Government
may not wish to make public pronouncements on future dispositions
in Iraq, we encourage the MoD to consider how a UK presence can
be maintained in Umm Qasr beyond any drawdown of forces in Basra.
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