Ivor Callely
Question:81 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence the current personnel strength and aircraft of the Air Corps; the current use of the aircraft and likely other uses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13648/00]
Written Answers. - Air Corps Strength.
The current personnel strength of the Air Corps is 972, comprising 150 officers, 395 non-commissioned officers and 427 privates.
The Air Corps has 14 helicopters and 18 fixed wing aircraft as follows:
Helicopters
|
Type |
Number |
Usage |
|
AlouetteIII |
7 |
The Alouette III is a utility aircraft, which is used for search and rescue (Waterford), air ambulance, Army Border operations (Finner and Monaghan), Army training, ministerial flights, Garda security missions, island relief and civil agency/authority co-operation such as in cases of pollution and to meet requests from the RNLI, IMES, fire service, Civil Defence, mountain rescue teams, coastal cliff rescues etc. |
|
Dauphin |
4 |
The Dauphin helicopters are used for search and rescue (Finner), air ambulance, island relief and medical evacuations, ministerial flights, Garda security missions, and for civil agency/authority co-operation such as in cases of pollution and to meet requests from the RNLI, IMES, fire service, Civil Defence, mountain rescue teams, coastal cliff rescues etc. |
|
Gazelle |
2 |
Basic helicopter flying training and instrument flying training are the primary tasks of the Gazelle helicopter |
|
AS355NSquirrel |
1 |
The Squirrel helicopter is dedicated to the Garda air support unit and is used on Garda operations only. |
Fixed Wing
|
Type |
Number |
Usage |
|
Gulfstream IV |
1 |
The Gulfstream IV is dedicated to the ministerial air transport service |
|
Beechcraft SKA 200 |
1 |
The primary role of this aircraft is pilot conversion to twin-engined flying. It is also used by the ministerial air transport service and as an air ambulance |
|
CASA 235 MPA |
2 |
The CASA undertakes maritime patrols and fishery protection and the reporting of inshore pollution. In the course of fishery protection patrols, the CASA can be used from time to time in support of the Customs national drug team, at the request of the latter body. |
|
Cessna 172H |
6 |
The Cessna provides support to Army and Garda operations and can undertake Inland Fishery Protection at the behest of fisheries boards |
|
SF 260Marchetti |
7 |
The Marchetti is used to provide basic flight training for cadets |
|
BB2T–45Defender |
1 |
The BB2T – 45 Defender is dedicated to the Garda air support unit and is used on Garda operations only. |
The Government recognises that there are urgent equipment modernisation requirements in the Air Corps. In recognition of these urgent requirements, I was pleased to announce on 1 March 2000 the allocation of a total of up to £55 million over the next three years for this purpose. These funds will initiate vital investment in new aircraft for the Air Corps under the direction of the high level civil-military planning and procurement group. This substantial funding for the Air Corps in the short-term will ensure that the Air Corps is ready and equipped to carry out different taskings as required.
The future development of the Air Corps will be determined within a range of policy parameters which were set down in the White Paper and include: full time helicopter capability for military and non-military for example, Garda support tasks; fishery protection and search and rescue, SAR, services as agreed with the Department of the Marine and Natural Resources and air ambulance and ministerial air transport services.
The extent and nature of these services will, of necessity, be a determinant of the type of aircraft to be provided for the Air Corps. In that regard, the Government has decided that Air Corps equipment resources will not be committed to any overseas operations. The work of the high level group will take all these matters into account when devising a balanced investment strategy for the Air Corps for the next five years.
In the meantime, the technical specifications and other documentation required for the commencement of the procurement process in relation to new medium range helicopters for search and rescue are being prepared. A joint civil-military project team has been set up to organise and oversee the tender competition and eventual evaluation and selection of the most suitable aircraft. Arrangements for the acquisition of a helicopter for training Air Corps pilots working with the Garda air support unit are also in train.
The acquisition of appropriate fixed wing aircraft for the Air Corps will also be considered by the high level planning and procurement group. In the meantime, the recommendations of the general officer commanding the Air Corps as regards essential training needs of cadets and pilots have been considered by the civil and military authorities in the Department and have been generally agreed.