Naval Service General Discussion - Fleet, Manpower, Policy

sparky42 · 15-05-2026 09:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124471765#Comment_124471765

To be honest, if it came down to 4 fully operational upgraded 60's compared to the 70's I'd take it, even as limited as the upgrades are going to be (if they happen of course @mupper2 ), but certainly questions should be asked if the Kiwi's managed to pull a fast one and sell us a couple of lemons that they wanted rid of.

Larbre34 · 17-05-2026 09:02PM

No.

If true, this isn't on the Kiwis. We sent educated and experienced engineering officers as part of the project team to Wellington to assess, renew and ultimately transport these ships to Ireland.

If they are indeed lemons, its 100% on us.

Nobody from the RNZN held a gun to any Irish official's head and forced them to sign for them.

But overall, I fail to see what the big deal is. Those MAN power plants and their successors are still routinely available from Everllence (formerly MAN Energy Solns) in Germany and Denmark. Just buy two new main plant units and carry on.

sparky42 · 17-05-2026 09:27PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124477510#Comment_124477510

We wouldn't be the first ones that the trick got pulled on (thinking some of the Royal Navies sales in the past…), but either way suppose the issue is the ROI for another extended drydocking and engine refit for what are meant to be pure Fisheries Patrol ships when supposedly we are meant to be thinking about something more than fisheries. Or just the political optics if they have to go in for a cut and engine replacement after being bought.

Either way, it just has to stay a non story till 2027.

sparky42 · 16-06-2026 05:21PM

So after the UK actually did raid and seize a Russian tanker in the English Channel, I wonder how busy the West Coast route is going to get? Meanwhile of course the Russians have decided maybe to replay the Dodger bank incident and opened fire with warning shots against a civilian yacht off of the Isle of Wight… Just something to consider in terms of the NS:

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/reports-of-russian-warship-firing-at-british-vessel-near-uk/

roadmaster · 17-06-2026 06:13PM

Alison Comyn is bringing a proposal to the Senate toward for Drogheda Port to be the East Coast Naval Base long term.

It has the backing of the Part Time Part time minister of defence Thomas Byrne and apperently locally has the support of the Part Time Minister Time Helen Mc.

The main trust for them wanting it is non other than jobs.lol

sparky42 · 17-06-2026 09:10PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558214#Comment_124558214

First, how many jobs do they think is going to happen from it? Second please tell me they at least didn't call it a FOB this time, and lastly, why the hell would the navy pick it other than rather obvious vote buying BS?

thomil · 17-06-2026 10:29PM

I've seen some insane stuff from backbench TDs in this country, but a naval base in Drogheda? Where are they going to put it? At least DL has a pier and a single point of entry that can be easily sealed off.

I'd call for a mandatory sobriety test for TDs, but I have a feeling that the TD in question was actually sober and serious when he came up with that. Now I need a drink…🥃

roadmaster · 17-06-2026 11:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124559127#Comment_124559127

Theres actually not many problems with drogheda with plenty of room and visits of the navy in the past. The one major problem is the port is Tidal.

Larbre34 · 18-06-2026 01:12PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124558214#Comment_124558214

As I've said many times, its already been decided for Dún Laoghaire. Jennifer Carroll MacNeill locked it down in negotiations for the programme for government.

Alison Comyn is a freshman senator. She has to be seen to be doing these things ahead of her next run for the Dáil, but she won't have any success.

Naval Service General Discussion - Fleet, Manpower, Policy

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