New Zealand Project Protector.

[hptmurphy]

New Zealand Patrol Vessel.

Just reading Warship 2005...an annual publication which is a must for all naval enthusiasts.

It is reported in the international navies section thet New Zealand is to build a new unit of patrol vessels based on....the LE Eithne...its true.....foundit hard to believe my self....

anybody have any more information on this?

[Sluggie]

This is a guess but it sounds like a report on Project Protector. The two OPVs in the project are based on the same hull as the LE Róisín (but with Helo pad I think). Did the author of the story confuse Eithne with Róisín after a quick brouse of Jane's?.

[andy]

any pictures of it ?

[CTU]

Would it be this

http://www.irishmilitaryonline.com/board/showthread.php?t=4040

[hptmurphy]

Ireckon that might be the case in which case yes the book could be wrong.


The article is a attributed to one Conrad Waters...a barrister by training...and a banker by profession author of numerous articles on modern naval history.

Never heard of him!

I suppose we will have to wait for next years edition for the corrections.

[Sluggie]

Although if you follow CTU,'s link to the earlier thread you will see that while based on the Róisín's hull the OPV does bear a striking resemblance to a more modern, less top-heavy Eithne (as Goldie points out).

Note the twin funnels, the position of the main armament and the afterdeck below the helideck. It looks like a cross between the two classes, just as the Róisín is somthing of a PV/CPV cross.

It will be interesting to see how it turns out as artists impressions can be misleading.

[Goldie fish]

However it also bears a striking resemblance,in my opinion to Eithne,P31.

You heard it here first.

[McCarthy]

I was lookin through the irish independant archives and i saw that the navy got a submersible craft.
This craft isnt manned is it?

[Goldie fish]

No. It is artificial intelligence.

[kiwi1]

Hi all just thought i would send the links to view the pictures of two opvs being built for the New Zealand Navy .

[hptmurphy]

Lovely....cross between P31 and P51

[Goldie fish]

Thanks Kiwi.

http://www.defencemodels.com.au/Projects/MRV.asp

http://www.defencemodels.com.au/Projects/OPV.asp

http://www.defencemodels.com.au/Projects/IPV150.asp

Lovely....cross between P31 and P51

Hopefully with the best features of both.

[ODIN]

out of interest, wht type of heli wil the Kiwi's be opperating on these new ships?!?

[Tribunius]

Kaman Sea Sprite (SH-2F) I would imagine.

[Goldie fish]

I don't expect helis to be deployed on the smaller craft, but the helideck on the OPV gives them the option.
The Kaman Seasprite, of which they have 5, is the standard Naval heli on their Anzac Frigates, Te Kaha and Te Mana.