Naval Service's lack of onboard helicopters a major weakness in fight against drug-trafficking

Last January, the Department of Defence issued a “pre-solicitation” for the procurement of a new multi-role vessel (MRV) to replace the LÉ Eithne (pictured). File picture: Dan Linehan

The lack of an Irish naval vessel with an onboard helicopter is a “significant” weakness in combating maritime drug-trafficking, senior sources have said.

With the recent decommissioning of LÉ Eithne, no Naval Service vessel can carry a helicopter.

There are fears that Government commitments to procure a new, modern replacement for the navy’s flagship — with helicopter capabilities — might not materialise because of the ongoing staffing crisis in both the Naval Service and the Air Corps.

Last January, the Department of Defence issued a “pre-solicitation” for the procurement of a new multi-role vessel (MRV) to replace the LÉ Eithne. It cited a vessel outfitted for helicopter operations as well as freight and cargo-carrying duties and “other” maritime roles.

The budget had been around €200m, but it is reported the cost has risen to €300m. A detailed contract notice is expected in October.

Tánaiste and Minister of Defence, Micheál Martin, recently confirmed that maritime advisors had been appointed to support the procurement of the MRV. But he previously informed an Oireachtas Defence Committee hearing last May that a final decision had yet to be made on actually ordering it.

“Work is now underway that will lead to a public tender competition to cover the supply of the MRV in due course,” he said.

“That will be subject to the availability of funding within the defence capital. Prior to procurement, I will assess where we are as regards naval strength, as this purchase will be a significant investment commitment when we eventually get there.” 

During the dramatic military storming of the MV Matthew last September, Army Rangers were flown from land by helicopter to the container ship. File photo: Niall Carson/PA

Security sources are concerned about the impact of the lack of a multi-purpose vessel with helicopter capabilities.

“From a security perspective, satellite-based systems enhance our maritime domain awareness, so that is a mitigating factor [in not having such a vessel],” a source said. “But for maritime counter-narcotics/terrorism, a helicopter is a big capability to deploy.” 

During the dramatic military storming of the MV Matthew last September, Army Rangers were flown from land by helicopter to the container ship while the LÉ William Butler Yeats endeavoured to block the vessel from leaving Irish waters.

“If that operation was further offshore then the range [of a helicopter coming from land] and its duration could be a factor,” a source said. 

“This is important if Special Operations Forces is to interdict, as weather conditions could affect deployment of a RHIB (rigid hull inflatable boat].

“This is a constraint, so that’s where if you had an embedded or onboard maritime helicopter it goes to your surface asset and has the ability to launch/recover to the ship.” 

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A recent US report said Ireland was increasingly becoming a “cocaine pipeline” from South America to Europe. EU drugs and police agencies have highlighted a growing threat to secondary ports in smaller countries in Europe as cartels move away from increased security in major ports.

In a statement, the Department of Defence said: “It is the intention that the new vessel will be able to contribute across a number of defence roles, with a design specification capable of providing a flexible and adaptive capacity for a wide range of tasks, both at home and overseas. The detailed concept of operations and capabilities for the MRV will be considered as part of the planning process.”