Vessels Inappropriate for RNZN Current Roles
Work to refurbish and modernise two ex-Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Lake-class Inshore Patrol Vessels (IPVs) for the Irish Naval Service (INS) will begin before the end of March.
Babcock NZ will complete a modernisation and upgrade package for the pair, ex-HMNZS Rotoiti and Pukaki, to ensure they are operational and seaworthy before transport to Ireland by ship-lift in March-April 2023.
The NZ$36 million (€26 million) contract to acquire the ships was signed by the Irish government on 9 March. The NZDF told MON that this “includes NZ$6 million of Ireland-requested upgrades and regeneration to Lloyds Registry Classification Society Standards, which has been evaluated to require an investment of NZ$10m plus up to NZ$3m as a contingency for both vessels.”
The two IPVs have been at Devonport Naval Base in Auckland since they were decommissioned in October 2019. The NZDF said that the ships are in “good condition” and “currently held in Lloyds ‘lay-up’ class,” adding: “The shafts and propellers have been removed from one IPV and held in storage ready for refurbishment. The other IPV has shafts and propellers intact”.
The NZDF told MON that the scope of work will include “overhaul of main and auxiliary engines to meet EU emission standards, docking of both vessels for hull preservation, propeller and rudder overhaul, inspection, service, and commissioning of all electric, mechanical, hydraulic and communication systems, required to return the vessels to Lloyds Class”. It added that additional activities include “modifying the vessels so they are compatible with the equipment fit of the current Irish Naval fleet. There are no armament changes”.
Babcock NZ’s Calliope Dock in Devonport is busy with work refitting the RNZN’s frigate, HMNZS Te Kaha, therefore it is expected that alternative yards will be used for some overhaul work. Andy Davis, Babcock Australasia Managing Director Defence, told MON: “The docking of the vessels for the underwater hull preservation, propeller and rudder overhaul will take place at a separate location within New Zealand, which we are not able to share details of at this stage”.
The pair will replace the INS’ existing Peacock-class coastal patrol ships LÉ Orla and LÉ Ciara. It stated the ships will provide an “enhanced capacity to operate and undertake patrols in the Irish Sea on the East and South East Coast. This will allow the remaining fleet to focus on operations elsewhere.”
The RNZN is selling the ships because it has less use for IPVs. Chief of Navy, Rear Adm David Proctor stated: “Our Navy has a greater need to project a presence further afield, and that’s something the IPVs simply weren’t built to do”.
Tim Fish reporting from New Zealand for MON
