Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 15 May 2001

Vol. 536 No. 2

Written Answers - Defence Forces Equipment.

Bernard J. Durkan

Question:

194 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the refitting has taken place in the Defence Forces with particular reference to military hardware and equipment; the extent to which proposals identified in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report have been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14028/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

Following the submission of the White Paper on Defence to Government on 29 February 2000, the Government conveyed approval for the allocation of 100% of pay savings arising from the reduction in the approved strength level of the Permanent Defence Force to 10,500, together with 100% of the revenue arising from the sale of property surplus to requirements, for investment in equipment and infrastructure for the Defence Forces.

The White Paper on Defence set out a very positive, developmental approach to defence in Ireland for the next ten years. It involves a new, unprecedented £250 million investment programme in equipment and infrastructure. This programme will ensure that Ireland has a modern, sustainable defence organisation, second to none, with the depth and flexibility to respond to future demands.

Substantial programmes of investment will take place in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and some examples are as follows.

The first two of the new fleet of 40 armoured personnel carriers for the Army, costing in total £40 million, were produced at the end of 2000 and officially handed over to the Department of Defence on 11 January 2001. All 40 vehicles will be delivered by January of next year, almost two years ahead of previous expectations.

There has been significant investment in recent years on new vehicles for the Army with over £6.5 million spent on specialist transport cargo vehicles, deployed to KFOR, and on new troop carrying vehicles such as 4 x 4s, and three quarter ton trucks.

Over £10.5 million has been expended on new tactical VHF radios for the Defence Forces in recent years. An investment package for the Army estimated at up to £25 million over the next three years is under way. The package includes the purchase of light infantry tactical vehicles, modern effective anti-armour weapons, night vision equipment, engineer equipment and medical field equipment. A pistol replacement programme for the Defence Forces has commenced.

Following the publication of the White Paper, I announced a major investment programme for the Air Corps with £55 million available over three years for the purchase of new aircraft. The tender competition for the provision of medium lift helicopters is well advanced and it is expected that the Department will be in a position to place a contract in the middle of this year.

The building of the second new ship for the Naval Service which is similar to L.E.Róisín is almost complete. As with L.E. Róisín, the new ship will also cost over £20 million. The ship, which will be named L.E. Niamh, is expected to enter operational service in July 2001.

The new equipment programme is a top priority for me. It ensures that the Defence Forces will develop as a world class military organisation in which people are proud to serve. The Army, Air Corps and Naval Service will have the most modern of equipment to carry out their roles at home and overseas.

Question No. 195 answered with Question No. 71.

Questions Nos. 196 to 198, inclusive, answered with Question No. 104.