The Government of Ireland has announced the purchase of two inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) from the New Zealand Government.
As informed, the two Lake-class inshore patrol vessels are the former HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki. The ships were built in Whangarei by BAE Systems Australia. They were delivered to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and commissioned into their Royal Navy in 2009.
According to the officials, the investment of some €26 million in these two IPVs, will provide replacements for ships LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara.
“These Inshore Patrol Vessels have a lesser crewing requirement than the ships they replace, and will provide the Naval Service with an enhanced capacity to operate and undertake patrols in the Irish Sea on the East and South East Coast. This will allow the remaining fleet to focus on operations elsewhere.”
The 55-meter-long ships will be transported to Ireland in 2023 after a program of works to restore them to Lloyd’s Classification has been carried out in New Zealand.
Both ships have been in Lloyd’s lay-up class appraisal survey since October 2019, having been withdrawn from service and will undergo some restoration works to bring them up to Lloyd’s classification.
They have a fully automated control and navigations system, modern communications and surveillance systems, active stabilisers and are able to sail at a speed of up to 25 knots. The area of operations will be the Irish Sea on the East and South East Coast.
“The changing face of maritime security in the Irish Sea has highlighted a requirement for a specialist inshore capability in order to protect Irish interests. The procurement of these vessels strengthens the ability of the Naval Service to fulfil its role in protecting our national sovereignty and constitutes a strong vote of confidence in the Defence Forces by the Minister and Government,” Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Seán Clancy commented.
The government officials also noted that a project to provide the replacement for the flagship LÉ Eithne with “a new more modern and capable” multi-role vessel is underway, with consultants having been engaged to initiating a tender competition in due course.