The Irish Navy are looking to replace their HPV ship L.E. Eithne with a non-HPV vessel of similar size in the coming years.
Roles required (Multi tasked vessel) –
Defence of Territorial Waters,
Fisheries Protection,
Drug Interdiction,
Search and Rescue,
Resupply of Irish Military on peace keeping missions.
Suggested replacement vessel ?
By: Panther - 30th July 2004 at 09:08
Indeed, JA, it would be better if a helo capability was retained for the Navy. However, the 2 x CASA 235MPA’s are doing all such ops at the present (as pointed out by futurepilot).
However, helo’s would be a great asset for overseas ops as well, e.g. resupply of Army posts, casevac, etc.
I believe the thinking at present is that a ship with a Troop Transport (and cargo) capability would be best for the Irish Defence Forces in general.
Incidentially, the deck on L.E Eithne has not been utilised in years.
By: futurepilot - 28th July 2004 at 23:38
The helicopters on LE Eithne were used for maritime patrol, ie checking ships were who they said they were and generally keeping track of ship movements in Irish territorail waters and the Irish “box”. They are no longer needed because of the introduction of the Casa`s in the early nineties which do a better job.
By: Ja Worsley - 28th July 2004 at 16:30
😮 Why are they dropping the Helo? :confused:
Anyway I can offer three choices:
[INDENT]Meko A-100[/INDENT]
[INDENT]Tenix OPV[/INDENT]
[INDENT]Lurssen FPB-62[/INDENT]
Both the A-100 and the Tenix OPV retain a Helo hanger and platform aft, the Lurssen only has a landing platform! One might even sugest the Lurssen PGB as in those operating with the RSN currently.
Still, i can’t see why they are opting to loose the helo, the mind boggles at Irish politics. Though full credit to the Irish Defence Force for doing so much with so little! 🙁
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July 28, 2004 at 4:20 am