Babcock to supply fourth OPV to Ireland
Babcock International Group has received a contract extension from Ireland’s Department of Defence to provide a new Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Irish Naval Service (INS), it was announced in June.
The vessel will be built at Babcock’s Appledore shipbuilding facility in North Devon. It will be the fourth OPV that Ireland will buy from Babcock, after the launch of LÉ Samuel Beckett and LÉ James Joyce, as well as the LÉ William Butler Yeats, which is under construction and expected to enter sea trials in July. The fourth OPV is scheduled for completion in summer 2018.
The vessel weighs 2,256 tonnes, is 90m long, has a range of 6,000 nautical miles, top speed of 23 knots and cruise speed of 15 knots. It can accommodate 44 crew members and has ten trainee berths. It will act as a mother ship for three fully-independent, rigid-hulled inflatable boats.
John Howie, divisional CEO of marine and technology businesses at Babcock, said: ‘We are really delighted to continue to support the Irish Naval Service with these important vessels. Our firm role is to safely provide cost-effective, value for money naval platforms that underpin our customer’s increasing requirements to protect their coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone, further enhancing border control capability and maritime security.’
You may also like
More from Naval Warfare
-
![Hensoldt wins order to provide more TRS-3D multi-mode naval radars to US Coast Guard]()
Hensoldt wins order to provide more TRS-3D multi-mode naval radars to US Coast Guard
Hensoldt will deliver another TRS-3D Baseline D multi-mode naval radar to be installed on a USC Legend-class national security cutter (NSC) under a $10 million contract which is in addition to the 12 already delivered for the ships.
-
![German Armed Forces successfully concludes laser weapon demonstrator trials]()
German Armed Forces successfully concludes laser weapon demonstrator trials
The German Armed Forces has successfully completed trials of the laser weapon demonstrator (LWD) at sea, proving its combat effectiveness against various targets in realistic operating conditions.
-
![Norwegian navy ready to make decision on frigate life support contract]()
Norwegian navy ready to make decision on frigate life support contract
The future maintenance and modification of the Royal Norwegian Navy’s (RNoN’s) four remaining Fridjtof Nansen-class frigates is to be decided by the end of the year.
-
![General Dynamics Electric Boat wins Virginia-class submarine supply contract]()
General Dynamics Electric Boat wins Virginia-class submarine supply contract
General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) has been awarded a $517.2 million delivery order against a previously issued basic agreement for procurement and delivery of initial Virginia-class attack submarine spare parts to support maintenance availabilities.
-
![L3Harris Technologies awarded $212 million contract for Royal Australian Navy's maritime underwater tracking ranges]()
L3Harris Technologies awarded $212 million contract for Royal Australian Navy's maritime underwater tracking ranges
L3Harris Technologies has been awarded a contract valued at A$328 million ($212 million) for the delivery of new Maritime Underwater Tracking Ranges (MUTR) to the Royal Australian Navy as part of SEA1350 Phase 3.
-
![Pakistan Navy renewal gathers pace as new OPV launched]()
Pakistan Navy renewal gathers pace as new OPV launched
The launch of the first of a new pair of Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for the Pakistan Navy (PN) on 12 September indicates an acceleration in the modernisation of the service as it introduces new ships into service.
