Ireland confirms purchase of IPVs from New Zealand

The former HMNZS Roitoti (pictured) and HMNZS Pukaki have been procured under a government-to-government agreement as part of efforts to modernise and the Irish Naval Service (RNZN)

The Irish Ministry of Defence (MoD) has confirmed the acquisition of two second-hand Lake-class inshore patrol vessels (IPVs) from New Zealand to equip its naval service.

The two ships, the former HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, are intended to replace the Irish Naval Service's (INS's) Peacock (P 41)-class coastal patrol ships LÉ Orla (P 41) and LÉ Ciara (P 42) following their planned withdrawal from service.

Announcing the procurement on 11 March, the MoD said the two vessels will be delivered to Ireland in 2023 after completing a programme of work to restore them to Lloyds Classification in New Zealand. The government-to-government agreement is worth EUR26 million (USD28.4 million).

The MoD said the acquisition of the two Lake-class IPVs forms part of steps being taken to regenerate the INS, which included the withdrawal of the Peacock-class vessels and their replacement on a phased basis.

“The [Lake-class IPVs] have a lesser crewing requirement than the vessels they replace, and will provide the naval service with an enhanced capacity to operate and undertake patrols in the Irish Sea on the east and southeast coast,” the MoD said. The Peacock-class ships carry a crew complement of 44, compared to the crew complement of 20 for the Lake-class IPVs.

Rotoiti and Pukaki