New Zealand transfers two patrol ships to Ireland at cost of €26m

The ships from New Zealand, HMNZS Rotoiti and HMNZS Pukaki, are much smaller than the likes of LÉ George Bernard Shaw, above, and will be used to patrol the Irish Sea. File picture: ED/Alamy Live News

Two patrol ships are being transferred to Ireland by the New Zealand government on Tuesday at a cost of €26m and are expected to enter service early next year.

This follows a year-long regeneration project with the inshore patrol ships modified by the New Zealand Defence Forces and partners. This was overseen by the Irish Naval Service and Department of Defence.