As the European navies upgrade their fleets, various warships are being made available for sale. This situation provides opportunities to the Philippine Navy as these ships are of newer design and manufacture compared to the majority of the PN's ships. As these ships are already paid up in the European navies, the price levels are more affordable than newly built warships.
On the downside, repairs and modifications are necessary before such ships are recommissioned to the PN, and maintenance costs will be higher as compared to new warships. This makes a very capable Naval Shipyard a necessity in economically utilizing these surplus ships from the European Navies. Overall, these surplus ships will provide the Philippine Navy the most affordable and fastest way of enhancing its capabilities to provide a credible naval defense to protect our territorial and Exclusive Economic Zone waters.
Emer Class, Ireland Naval Service
The Emer class is an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Irish Naval service. It has a
standard displacement of 1,019.5 tonnes with a length of 65.2 meters and a beam of 10.5 meters. The class was based on the experience of the sole ship
Deirdre class commissioned in 1972. The first-of-class Emer was ordered in 1975 and commissioned in 1978.
After LE Emer, LE Aoife followed in 1979, and LE Aisling in 1980.
The funding for these ships came from the EU.
Compared with the Deirdre class, the Emer class was given more engine power, better crew accommodation and improved silencing.
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| Emer Class, Aisling P23 broadside |
The Emer class has a designed
maximum speed of 17 knots with a complement: of 5 officers and 41 ratings.
The armaments carried by each ship of the Emer class are one 40 mm Bofors L40/70 gun, two 20mm Rheinemetall RH202, and 7.62mm MAG58.
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| Emer Class, Aisling P23 1020tn65m17k Ireland 26May011 |
These vessel has been modernised throughout their service life in order to take advantage of new technologies and to make life for the crew more comfortable; additions include air conditioning.
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| Emer Class, Aisling P23 high seas |
LE Deirdre was decommissioned in 2001 and sold for 190,000 Euros. She was later converted into a luxury yacht.
LÉ Emer (P21) was decommissioned on 20 September 2013. Cork Auctioneer Dominic Daly is to sell the Navy Vessel LE Emer (P21) in early October 2013. A year later the sister ship LE Aoife (P22) will also go on the market.
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| Emer Class, LE Emer P21, 19Oct07 |
The Emer class is an excelent OPV given its long range and appropriately armed
for its role.
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| Emer Class, Aisling P23 broadside |
Possible upgrades for the class are
- Close In Weapons System like the Ukrainian Katran-M
- USV for sensors, decoy and small weapons
- mini VTOL UAV that can be locally manufactured
- Oto Melara 76mm main gun
- ALAS SSM
The LÉ Aoife P22 will be decommissioned in 2014 and will be available for possible Philippine Navy acquisition.
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| LE_AOIFE Brest 2011-05-13 by ©Michel Floch |
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| LÉ Aoife 65 meter long, range of 6750 NM @ 12k with 46 crew and 5 Officers |
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| Bridge |
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| Command suite |
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| Captain's office |
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| Conference room |
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| Living area |
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| Mess hall | |
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| Engine controlroom |
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| Engine room |
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| Bow gun |
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| Irish LÉ Aoife P22 (65 meter, 1020tonne, 6750 N.M.@12 knots, 46 crew 5 Officers - ©Michel Floch |
The Irish Offshore Patrol Vessel LÉ Aoife P22, 65 meter long, 1020tonne displacement, range of 6750 N.M.@12 knots, with 46 crewmembers and 5 Officers, is one of the most cost effective alternative for the Philippine Navy to speedily enhance its capabilities.
