Forces: December 3, 1999

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: The Irish Naval Service has received its 8th ship, the Offshore Patrol Vessel Roisin. (The ship was not fitted with its 76mm OTOBreda cannon until it arrived in Ireland to meet EU requirements.) Roisin was the first new ship delivered to the Irish Naval Service in 15 years; she was built at the Appledoor shipyard in Britain. The Irish Naval Service now consists of eight ships: Roisin, the helicopter-capable Eithne, four Offshore Patrol Vessels of the Deirdre class, and the two ex-British patrol boats of the Peacock class. Ireland wants a second Roisin to replace the oldest Deirdre so that it can maintain an eight-ship fleet. --Stephen V Cole