Hunt for new €200m vessel to replace ageing LÉ Eithne under way

Irish naval vessel LÉ Eithne berthed at Kennedy Quay in Cork. As far back as 2015, the White Paper on Defence identified the need to replace the ageing Naval Service flagship with a new vessel which would be capable of carrying troops, freight and a helicopter.  Picture: David Creedon / Anzenberger

The Department of Defence has finally put out a tender for consultants to help it procure a €200m multi-role vessel (MRV) for the Naval Service.

As far back as 2015, the White Paper on Defence identified the need to replace the ageing Naval Service flagship LÉ Eithne with a new vessel, such as an MRV, which would be capable of carrying troops, freight and a helicopter.