New €100 million ship for the Navy !!

Maskhadov

€100m vessel to boost navy strength
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THE ship may have finally come in for the Department of Defence.

Yesterday Minister Willie O'Dea revealed his department is negotiating for one of the biggest ship replacement programmes in Irish naval history.

Mr O'Dea confirmed that the department is preparing for the decommissioning of three vessels over the next few years - and the possible introduction into the Irish fleet of a €100m multi-mission vessel that will dwarf existing patrol ships on the water.

He was speaking at Haulbowline Naval Base in Cork at a cadet commissioning ceremony.

He said that the number of ships ordered and their size will be dependent on negotiations with the Department of Finance in the coming months.

"They will come to the end of a 30-year lifespan which we take as the guideline for the life of a vessel," he said.

"We are committed to an eight-ship flotilla and we are committed to replacing ships."

Over the next three to four years, the Naval Service will see the LE Emer, LE Aoife and LE Aisling reach the end of their expected 30 year service lives. The Navy has already seen the introduction of two new ships in recent years - the LE Roisin and LE Niamh - at a cost of €50m. But the forthcoming acquisition programme will be the most expensive in Irish naval history.

Our picture shows a member of the Southern Brigade Army Band who took a turn under a hot sun during the 44th Naval Cadet Class. Cadets on parade after their commissioning ceremony at the Haulbowline Naval Base.



http://www.unison.ie/irish_independent/stories.php3?ca=9&si=1683493&issue_id=14609

Vorsprung

Mr O'Dea confirmed that the department is preparing for the decommissioning of three vessels over the next few years - and the possible introduction into the Irish fleet of a €100m multi-mission vessel that will dwarf existing patrol ships on the water.

[CYNICAL]

Blah blah blah Willie's feeling left out of the papers. When he's got something concrete let him come back and tell us all about it.

[/CYNCICAL]

Maskhadov

It will be a blue green ship (can be use for both miltary and diaster relief purposes)

Manic Moran

I think Blue/Green (AKA Purple) refers more to its dual function of supporting the Naval and the Army operations, as opposed to the Naval ones. If the Army's involved in disaster relief, so be it, but the Army doesn't confine itself to a disaster relief role.

NTM

Bam Bam

Would also act as a great transport/command platform when there is peace enforcement to be done in coastal countries.

muletide

In Liberia the army relied very havily on the presence of a Dutch hospital ship just off the coast. And also had to use civvy container ships to move mowags and containers. Any small moves towards self-sufficency are extremely welcome.