Irish defence mulling purchase of ex-Royal New Zealand Navy patrol ships

Irish defence mulling purchase of ex-Royal New Zealand Navy patrol ships

MARITIME SECURITY WEEK
The Royal New Zealand Navy Lake-class inshore patrol vessels HMNZS Rotoiti (foreground) and HMNZS Pukaki conducting Fleet Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres in the Hauraki Gulf in December 2010. Both ships were decommissioned on October 17, 2019. (Photo: New Zealand Defence Force)

The Irish Department of Defence (DOD) has confirmed that it is considering the potential purchase of two inshore patrol vessels formerly operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy.

Defence officials said they hope to put the vessels in operation in the Irish Sea, where the Irish Naval Service will use them primarily for fisheries protection missions.

The DOD clarified that no contractual agreement has yet been signed between the Irish and New Zealand governments.

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