Irish Minister Announces the Construction of New Naval Service Ship is Well Underway

May 22, 2012 Mr. Alan Shatter, T.D. / Irish Minister for Justice, Equality & Defence

I am pleased to announce that a significant milestone has been reached this afternoon (Friday, 18th May 2012) in the build process for the first of two new ships for the Irish Naval Service when a traditional Keel Laying ceremony took place in Babcock Marine’s Appledore Shipbuilding Yard in Devon, UK.

The Keel Laying ceremony was attended by senior representatives of the Naval Service the Department of Defence, as well as Naval Service members involved in the build project.

This is not the first time that the Department of Defence and the Irish Naval Service have had an association with Appledore. Two ships, LE Roisin and LE Niamh, were built in this very dockyard over ten years ago and remain key elements of the current Irish Naval Service fleet.

The first ship is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second ship will follow in 2015. The new ships will replace two of the older Naval Service vessels, which will be withdrawn from operational service.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

A contract for the provision of two new ships for the Naval Service was placed with Babcock Marine, UK, in October 2010. The contract price is €99m exclusive of VAT and subject to contract terms and final agreed costs. In addition, the cost of providing a weapons system for the ships, similar to the systems on LE Roisin and LE Niamh, will be €7.8m, exclusive of VAT.

Payments on the contract are scheduled over a period of eight years, 2010 to 2017 and are being funded from within the annual Defence budget. The first ship is scheduled for delivery in early 2014. The second ship will follow in 2015. The new ships will replace two of the older Naval Service vessels, which will be withdrawn from operational service.

FURTHER TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Babcock Marine 90 metre Offshore Patrol Vessel

• Commonality of Layout with LE Roisin and LE Niamh

• Commonality of Equipment and Systems with LE Roisin and LE Niamh

• Maintenance and Spares commitments reduced

The following is an overview of the main characteristics and capabilities of the proposed new OPV’s. These vessels will provide strong operational capability for up to 40 years of service in their main area of operation which will be the North Atlantic ocean - out to the 200 mile Economic Exclusion Zone limit and beyond.

• Length: 90 metres

• Beam: 14 metres

• Draft: 4 metres

• Max Speed: 23 knots

• Cruise speed: 16 knots

• Loiter speed: 0-8 knots

• Range: 6000 nm

• Endurance: 21 days

• Propulsion: Diesel Electric

• Communications: Comprehensive Military Communications Package

• Stabilisation: Fin Stabilisers, Stabilisation Tank

• Flight Deck: Aft deck provided for UAV Ops and Stowage for 3 TEU on Aft deck

• Accommodation: 44 crew + 10 trainees