Ægir-class offshore patrol vessel

The Ægir class Offshore Patrol vessel is a class of two vessels serving in the Icelandic Coast Guard (ICG). They participated in the two latter Cod Wars.

The vessels conduct EEZ patrol, Search and Rescue, Fishery inspections, general Law Enforcement and Counter-terrorism operations in Icelandic waters and the waters of the surrounding territories, such as Greenland and Jan Mayen.

The design
The concept for the Ægir class OPV was based on the Coast Guard experiences with the ICGV Þór and ICGV Óðinn. R.Adm Pétur Sigurðsson, commander of the ICG, set forth a requirement for a ship larger than both the Þór and Óðinn and more seaworthy. The vessels were also armored for ice breaking.

Armament
When originally commissioned the ships of the Ægir-class main armament was the 57 mm Hotchkiss cannon. These weapons were however replaced in 1990 with the 40 mm Bofors L60 auto-cannon, which in turn was replaced with the 40 mm Bofors L70 in the late 2000s.

Among other weapons are small arms and other suitable weapons, including Net cutters, which the Icelandic Coast Guard made famous during the Cod Wars.