Reply With QuoteAnd no a moment too soon, most of the Irish fleet went passed its sell by date over a decade ago.
New Irish Naval Service Patrol Boat Laid down at Babcock Marine’s shipyard
http://www.navyrecognition.com/index...sk=view&id=464The new OPVs (PV90) are based upon the STXM PV80 design, two vessels delivered to INS in 2000 and 2001, with an increased length (10m) and depth (0.60m). In addition, the vessels will have an increased speed to 23 knots. These design changes will improve INS’s operational capability in rough waters in the Atlantic. The vessels are to be delivered in early 2014 and 2015.
And no a moment too soon, most of the Irish fleet went passed its sell by date over a decade ago.
A bit surprising it has no Helo spot (let alone a proper helo hanger) no ?
The Irish Naval Service does not have any helicopters all they do is stop drug smuggling and fishery protection. Their flagship the LE Eithne has a helo spot but it hasn’t been used since the Air Corps retired their last Eurocopter Dauphin. Putting a helo spot on the new vessels would be a waste of money of which the Irish Defence Forces have very little.Originally Posted by xav
I'm a bit confused with the UK and its force structure. So is the Irish military like national guard in the US?
I think it's about Republic of Ireland witch isn't part of UK.
This is the Irish Navy , Uk is British , 2 different countries. We have a Permanent Defence force (PDF), in both Army Navy and Air Corp and we have an Army and Naval Reserve (RDF).
Sorry about that. I got those mixed up.This is the Irish Navy , Uk is British , 2 different countries
No problem.
looks like a decent bit of kit
It´s not a matter of money, they could get plenty of low cost OPV´s with the spot, even with the hangar, like the Fassmer 80 OPV´s in the Chilean and the Colombian navies, and the low cost is about 30 USD millions. Even Guardia Civil in Spain got a new OPV with just the spot for about 15 million € without the 3" and all that of course..
But like I said the Irish Naval Service don’t have any helicopters and won't for the foreseeable future. Under current economic constraints it’s a minor miracle that these ships were given the go ahead. So why waste the time and yes money would be wasted putting a helo spot on them. Maritime air patrol is achieved by a pair of CASA CN235s that were acquired to replace the Dauphins, also the Irish Defence Forces are dominated by the Army and they do not want any of their helicopters on a ship.
^older sister, Roisin
The current SAR Helo are Sikorsky and won't be landing on any small pad...
Ireland is made up of 32 counties. Until 1922 all of Ireland was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.
From 1919 - 21 there was a war of Independance and in 1922, 26 of the 32 counties of Ireland became the Irish Free State.
The other 6 counties remained and still remain part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and northern Ireland.
In 1948 the Irish Free State declared itself a Republic and became the Republic of Ireland.
The Irish Naval Service was established in 1946, it was a part of the Army before this, and today it is part of the Irish Defence Forces.
The ships referred to here are being built for the Irish Naval Service.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_ireland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Defence..._%28Ireland%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irish_Naval_Service
A helo pad would be helpful for potential joint operations, and it would open up the possibility of using a cheap rotary UAV. Oh well, hope they have a long and productive service.
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