Kuwait has awarded Abu Dhabi Ship Building a $70.7 million contract to build eight patrol boats as the country moves to boost its maritime defense capabilities.

The order includes landing crafts and high-speed protection vessels. Khaleej Times reports the vessels will be used to protect Kuwait's territorial waters and maritime facilities.

"The vessels will have high-level requirements, making them globally competitive protection vessels, which will be built by using state-of-the-art multipurpose technologies and equipment," Kuwait's defense ministry said.

The National reports deliveries of the ships are expected to begin in under two years. ADSB CEO Khaled Al Mazrouei says his company's contract with the government of Kuwait demonstrates its commitment to growing regional capabilities.

"We are proud to be supplying vessels to the Kuwait Ministry of Defense and are grateful for the confidence that the State of Kuwait has given to us by awarding this contract," Mazrouei said.

CACI continues U.S. Fleet Forces Command support
Arlington, Va. (UPI) Jan 26, 2016 - CACI International has received a $35 million task order to provide technical analysis and lifecycle management support the U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

The 4-year task order was awarded under a Seaport-e contract vehicle.

Work by CACI under the order will include technical support to maintain computer models of surface ship components and systems -- ranging from hulls to the smallest piece of hardware -- help USFFC improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of fleet maintenance.

Additional details of the task order were not disclosed.

USFFC organizes, mans, trains and equips U.S. Navy forces for deployment to Unified Command Combatant Commanders for missions around the world.

"This continuation of our work with United States Fleet Forces Command demonstrates the value of our deep understanding of this customer's mission, combined with CACI's subject matter expertise in logistics and modeling, to help our customer ensure that America's Navy is always ready for action," said John Mengucci, CACI's chief operating officer and president of U.S. Operations.