Jim Higgins
Question:7 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Defence when the Milan missile was last fired in the Glen of Imaal ranges; and the number of times it has been fired in the period from 1988 to 1998. [13011/98]
Other Questions. - Milan Missile.
Phil Hogan
Question:62 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself with the accuracy of the Milan missile; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13012/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7 and 62 together.
The Milan missile was last fired in the Glen of Imaal ranges on 23 May 1995 when two rounds were fired. In the period 1988 to 1998, 21 Milan missile rounds were fired in the Glen of Imaal ranges.
I am satisfied the Milan missile continues to meet the performance criteria required of it as an effective anti-tank system for use in support of infantry.
Will the Minister confirm whether he has had any reports from members of his Department or Army personnel regarding doubts about the accuracy of the Milan missile?
Given that I am not too experienced in firing these missiles I will rely on the note supplied to me. The Milan is an infantry semi-automatic wire-guided anti-tank missile. The Milan system comes in two parts: the firing post and the ammunition tube. The missile is fired from a firing post which contains the tracking and guidance system. The missile, once launched, is then semi-automatically slaved on the target and corrective commands are automatically fed to the missile to keep it on its correct flight to the target. The site has a simple pattern to indicate whether the target is within its range and the maximum range of the Milan missile is 2,000 metres. In simple language, if it moves a little off course, there is an automatic adjustment to put it back on track.