3 New Navy Vessels for Irish Naval Service

Like the look of this one. Tis a really beautiful looking ship and bang up to date!

If it's good enough for Jonny German it's good enough tor the Irish Navy.

You do know how much of a shambles German naval procurement has been for over a decade right? Not exactly the best go to option of the Eurofrigate designs, or you know utterly outsized for even the most ambitious view of LoA3.

Procurement is one thing, but there is nothing wrong with design.

You mean apart from this class of course?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baden-Württemberg-class_frigate

Well the Brits haven't exactly covered themselves in glory with the Type 26 with about 80% of them out of service and I'm reading that the 4 Chinese frigates the they sold to (Indonesia?) Causing multiple problems.

No doubt, the Irish navy is far superior to the Russian navy.

The Ukrainian war hasn’t proven anything like that, the Moskova was a ship built before the end of the Cold War and was utterly compromised from day 1 (both in design and lack of upgrades), add in the systemic issues of the Russian military and it was a disaster waiting to happen. And let’s not forget the Russian Navy is so bad it regularly keeps a tugboat in task forces for when ships break down.

Right now the Irish Navy has no place in a combat war and has never been designed or planned for such as neither the politicians or public wanted to pay for such ships. If we want such capability there’s more than enough friendly nations to help develop the skill sets needed.

Its amazing how other nations manage, wonder what their secret is? Or maybe by your logic it's just Irish people that can't/won't manage?

I base my reply on the fact that navies across the Western World manage to crew their ships for far more strenuous service than the NS's regular operational taskings. So how is it that they manage but you suggest that Irish people can't/won't?

Someone is dodging but given how quickly you pivoted from "surface ships are outdated" to "Irish people won't serve in the Navy" in only a couple of posts I don't think it's me. Again plenty of Western Navies have at times struggled with crewing issues, some recent examples have been the RAN and RN having to lay up ships over the last decade. But through a series of changes in working conditions including pay they have been reducing their issues and again that includes operations from smaller ships than ours to more combat intensive ones, and this has happened without "conscription" or "massed foreign crews". The issues that are effecting retention are well flagged and without a doubt are also affecting recruitment, you only need to look at some of the negative social media comments for example to see how they are linked. I fail to see how Irish people and the naval duties they might undertake in the NS are so massively different from other nations. Given your post about the Ukrainian War and then the pivot frankly I think you are just trying to make an argument against the NS/DF no matter what.

Anyone complaining that crews are suffering from seasickness has never been to sea. Anyone blaming seasickness for why ships are seeking shelter is too far down the food chain to understand what is really happening, and is basically talking nonsense.

Having worked in the North Sea, English Channel and irish sea in varying conditions myself I soon realised that everyone gets seasick, it's just a matter of how you manage it.

Your mate is waffling. Not calling you a liar, but your mate is.

Any analysis of the PDF. all Branches, shows that it's genesis was based on the takeover and occupation of land and buildings of Victorian design. It largely took over where the Brits departed and replicated most functions at that time including married Quarters, aerodromes, and certain Naval assets which were whittled down by an ex- Ship's Chief Engineer from 30 craft down to 5 or so. He was a General Vize.

During the WW11 and some time afterward recruiting was from an Ireland struggling with poor incomes, social restrictions in schooling, and tenements and indifferent housing. As time moved on the country prospered and potential recruits were coming from homes with ensuites, holidays abroad, leaving Certificates, digitally aware, into gyms, sports and swimming pools. These recruits still faced largely unchanged Victorian Conditions with little effort to update and add comfort of acceptable modern standards.

It is said that conditions for prisoners of the State are laid down by law while no conditions have to be met for housing Military personnel, and sailors have the additional hazard of the sea both in peace and war.

I spent almost 48 years at sea and sea sickness was never a factor even on those that suffered from it during portions of their voyages. In corvette days I sailed with a C.O. and 2 I/C who both were martyrs to calling Hueey over the side. Both these gentlemen were revered as seamen and served to full retirement age.

Keeping people happy within any service is hinged on CONDITIONS, OPPORTUNITIES, PAY, and enough time off to function socially. Actions that downgrade Services such as closing Medical facilities, Army Nursing, Married facilities begins to make defence organisations inured to family needs and problems.

There is no doubt that pay and incentive grants need to be fair, equitable, and paid across the board for all who go to sea. A principle of equal hazard must mean that all ratings of equal rank receive the same Pay and allowances.

Shortages in crewing, in peacetime, ( remember in war service can be compulsory) might be operationally offset by having the ship all green lights to go and cover subsequent equipment failures by having a technical Support Team available to travel to a next available port, much as Irish lights or Merchant ships do. Tying up ships is bad for morale and weakens resolve to meet operational necessities.

If we are showcasing future naval tonnage keep in mind we have only one base and need to watch overall dimensions of ships. One thing is certain we must up-arm and renew our acquaintance with ASW and MCM.

What west coast Naval Station? East cost is planned, but I heard no plans for west coast.

On the basis that any navy needs a port of refuge to relocate ships during emergencies, accordingly a West Coast station with land route access would be an asset. it would require about 700metres of serviced quay wall with FW, Shore power, and a range of service buildings and workshops. Fuel delivery by 30tonne units should be provided for in access construction.