Irish warships open fire with main guns

Irish Naval Service patrol ships LÉ Samuel Beckett and LÉ George Bernard Shaw have taken part in a Ship Training Period involving live-fire gunnery, manoeuvring, maritime interdiction and replenishment-at-sea training, according to the Irish Naval Service.

Footage released by the service shows one of the vessels conducting a gun exercise at sea, with its main naval gun firing during the training period. The Naval Service described the activity as a demanding package intended to exercise several of the core skills required during operations.

The training included Gun Exercises, known as GUNEX, alongside manoeuvring exercises, Maritime Interdiction Operations and Replenishment at Sea training. Together, those activities cover weapons employment, ship handling, interception procedures and the ability of vessels to operate in close coordination while underway.

The Naval Service said: “This week the Naval Service conducted a Ship Training Period (STP). This was a demanding period of training which involved Gun Exercises (GUNEX), Manoeuvring Exercises, Maritime Interdiction (MIO) and Replenishment at Sea training (RAS).”

LÉ Samuel Beckett and LÉ George Bernard Shaw are both Samuel Beckett-class offshore patrol vessels.

The class is fitted with a 76mm main gun mounted forward, providing a substantially heavier weapon than the smaller-calibre systems carried elsewhere on the ships. Gunnery training allows crews to practise the procedures surrounding weapon operation, fire control and safe engagement while maintaining proficiency with the ship’s principal armament. Maritime Interdiction Operations exercise a different part of a ship’s crew. Such training can involve identifying and approaching vessels of interest, establishing communications, controlling their movement and preparing boarding teams for inspection or enforcement activity.

For a navy whose routine work includes monitoring maritime activity across Ireland’s extensive area of responsibility, those procedures form part of the practical skills required for patrol and security operations. Replenishment at Sea training is intended to develop the close-quarters ship handling and coordination required when vessels transfer stores or other supplies while remaining underway. Even when no material is physically transferred, crews can practise the approach, station keeping, communications and safety procedures involved.

Manoeuvring exercises similarly allow bridge teams to work through coordinated changes of course, formation movements and close navigation with other vessels. Such activity is particularly important when several ships are operating together or when conducting interception and boarding tasks.

LÉ Samuel Beckett was the first ship of the class to enter Irish service, while LÉ George Bernard Shaw is the fourth and final vessel of the design. The ships were built as larger and more capable replacements for older Irish patrol vessels, with an emphasis on endurance and operations in the North Atlantic environment.