Two newbuild OPV vessels are under negotiation with Babcock Marine in a €100m ordered by the Irish Naval Service, pending formal contract signing in November.

The news was announced by new Minister for Defence, John Killeen, TD on board LE Niamh, at Haulbowline Naval Base, Cork on 15 July, the day the OPV returned from a historic circumnavigation of South and Central America.

Described as an extended Roisin class, the 90m OPV newbuilds would be the largest vessels ever for the Irish Navy, 20m longer than sisterships LE Niamh and LE Roisin, built at A&P Appledore Shipbuilders, now owned by Babcock Marine.

The newbuilds are expected to be delivered in 2014 and 2015 with the new pair directly replacing two of the trio of ageing Emer class CPVs.

Last year leadship LE Emer (1978) and LE Aoife (1979) received repairs to weak hull-plating at Cork Dockyard, the former Verolme Cork Dockyard (VCD) which also completed the final vessel LE Aisling in 1980.

Originally, it was intended to order a third extended patrol vessel (EPV) but due to budgets constraints this was cancelled.

Supplied by: Jehan Ashmore