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The Naval Service

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles.

The Naval Service

The Naval Service is the State's principal seagoing agency with a general responsibility to meet contingent and actual maritime defence requirements. It is tasked with a variety of defence and other roles. Defence roles include defending territorial seas, deterring intrusive or aggressive acts, conducting maritime surveillance, maintaining an armed naval presence, ensuring right of passage, protecting marine assets and contributing to a blockade if required. The Naval Service must also be capable of supporting Army operations by sea lift and close naval support.

The Naval Service Organisation

Naval Service Headquarters

Naval Headquarters (NHQ) is co-located with Naval Operations and Naval Support Commands on Haulbowline Island in Cork Harbour. The Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service (FOCNS) who holds the rank of Commodore, operates from NHQ

Naval Operations Command

Naval Operations Command is tasked with the conduct of all operations afloat and ashore by the Naval Service including the operations of Naval Service ships. The Officer Commanding Naval Operations Command (OCNOC), reporting to FOCNS, commands the operational resources of the Naval Service both afloat and ashore.

Naval Support Command

Naval Support Command is tasked with the support of the Naval Service afloat and ashore. The Officer Commanding Naval Support Command (OCNSC), reporting to FOCNS, commands the Personnel, Logistic and Technical support resources in the Naval Base, in order to enable the NS fulfil its Operational and Training commitments.

Naval College

The Naval College is responsible for the training of all personnel in the Naval Service. The Commandant Naval College reports directly to FOCNS on all matters related to Naval Service training.

Naval Service Careers

The Naval Service is an integral part of Óglaigh na hÉireann as the maritime component of the Defence Forces, with a men and women drawn from the 32 counties of Ireland

About the Naval Service

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the State's Defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency.

FOC Naval Service

Flag officer Commading the Naval Service (FOCNS) - Commodore Michael Malone

Roles of the Naval Service

The Naval Service provides the maritime component of the State's Defence capabilities and is the State's principal seagoing agency. The Naval Service operates jointly with the Army and Air Corps.

Naval Service College

The primary function of The Naval College is to Train Naval personnel for effective naval operations in Defence of the State's interests.

Specialist Units

The Naval Service has several specialist units that perform essential roles within the Naval Service. These specialist roles are often mentioned in the media, but never directly.

The Fleet

The current fleet comprises four (4) Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) and two (2) Large Patrol Vessels (LPV). Each vessel is equipped with state of the art machinery, weapons, communication’s and navigation systems. The fleet will soon be augmented wit...

Naval Service Weapons

View the type of weapons used on board the naval service vessels