An Armed Forces offshore patrol vessel has just undergone a €7 million overhaul, with new upgraded systems, engines and automation systems. 

The AFM's 53-metre P61 has the capacity to land and refuel a small-to-medium sized helicopter and has an incorporated rigid hull inflatable boat notch, allowing it to safely launch and recover its RHIB in adverse conditions.

Built by the Fincantieri Navali shipyard in Italy's La Spezia it has patrolled 72,000 nautical miles - the equivalent of three round-the-world trips - since being brought into service by the AFM in 2005. 

Those trips had taken their toll on the vessel, with the extensive refit ensuring it has been completely re-powered, with new propulsion engines and gearboxes, its on-board systems overhauled, and navigation equipment and integrated platform management system installed. On-board personnel accommodation facilities have also been expanded. 

The refit was 75 per cent funded by the EU's Internal Security Fund (Borders and Visa) with the remaining 25 per cent funded locally.