The Republic of Ireland's Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin has announced that the Irish Naval Service’s two Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) have been named the LÉ Aoibhinn and the LÉ Gobnait.
The two Lake-Class Inshore Patrol Vessels are the former HMNZS Rotoiti and Pukaki. The ships were built in Whangarei by BAE Systems Australia (formerly Tenix Shipbuilding). They were delivered to the New Zealand Ministry of Defence and commissioned into the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) in 2009.
The two IPVs, which were purchased from the New Zealand government in 2022, are currently undergoing a comprehensive programme of works and preparation at the Naval Base in Haulbowline, including crew familiarisation and training, prior to the vessels becoming operational.
“I am delighted to announce the names Aoibhinn and Gobnait for the two Inshore Patrol Vessels recently added to the Naval Service fleet," said Martin, the Tánaiste of Ireland.
"The introduction of the IPVs to the naval fleet will enhance the capability of the Naval Service, both in relation to fisheries’ protection and other roles. These ships will serve and protect the people and the State for many years to come."
While these names are firmly rooted in ancient Ireland, representing women in Irish mythology and history, they are also relevant to modern Ireland as variations of these names can be recognised today.
These new additions will also play a vital part in the Naval Service’s regeneration efforts as they will augment fleet strength, introduce certain new Electronic Warfare and intelligence gathering capabilities and enhance the patrol profile of the Naval Service on the East coast.
The changing face of maritime security in the Irish Sea has highlighted a requirement for a specialist inshore capability in order to protect Irish interests. The IPVs will allow the Naval Service to continue to modernise and tackle the dynamic and ever-changing maritime environment in which they operate 365 days a year.
The IPVs will be tasked like all other operational vessels with a variety of defence and other roles. While the main daily tasking will be to provide a fishery protection service in accordance with our obligations as a member of the EU, they will also carry out a number of other non-fishery related tasks in tandem with maritime surveillance.
The core ship's company complement is 20, with the capacity to take up to 16 others. Their area of operations will be the Irish Sea on the East and South East Coast.