Gerry Reynolds
Question:9 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Defence if a comprehensive replacement programme for all Air Corps aircraft has been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17635/01]
Other Questions. - Air Corps Equipment.
Question:
61 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the impact the shortage of serviceable training aircraft is having on the training of Air Corps pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17648/01]
Alan Shatter
Question:95 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the impact the shortage of serviceable training aircraft is having on the training of Air Corps pilots; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17664/01]
Alan Shatter
Question:99 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if a comprehensive replacement programme for all Air Corps aircraft has been prepared; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17668/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 61, 95 and 99 together.
The Government recognises that there are urgent equipment modernisation requirements in the Air Corps. In recognition of these requirements, I announced on I March of last year the allocation of a total of £55 million over the next three years for this purpose. These funds will initiate vital investment in new aircraft for the Air Corps.
The first indicator of this investment is the current project for the acquisition of medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps. This major investment programme involves the acquisition of two medium lift helicopters, with an option of a third for search and rescue purposes as well as an option for two medium lift helicopters for general purpose military transport. The tender competition for the provision of medium lift helicopters is well advanced and it is expected the Department will be in a position to place a contract later this year.
There are other equipment requirements in the Air Corps. In this regard, I am still awaiting the submission of a strategic plan for the organisation which is to be presented by the military authorities. This plan is to include recommendations on a complete fleet replacement programme in order of priority.
One such priority is the requirement to acquire fixed wing training aircraft for Air Corps cadets and officers. When proposals for fixed wing training aircraft are received in tandem with the strategic plan, I will arrange for my Department to progress the matter as one of urgency. This will address the issue of the lack of suitable aircraft for training cadets and will permit the effective and efficient training of Air Corps flying officers.
There are other methods of training pilots in place at present to deal with any perceived lack of flying hours on aircraft. Simulators are used in addition to the provision of training courses abroad. Recent developments include eight flying officers undergoing an intensive fixed wing instructor's course in Canada in June and July 2001. Two rotary wing pilots are due to attend a training course in Canada later this year.
Will the Minister acknowledge that the current provision for the training of members of the Air Corps is completely inadequate and will he indicate to the House when he expects the new fixed wing training aircraft to become available to the Air Corps? Is there a time frame within which they can be expected? What is the date envisaged for the receipt of the helicopters by the Air Corps which are the subject of the tender currently being considered by the Minister and his Department?
There are four companies involved: Sikorsky of the USA, EH Industries of England, Eurocopter of France and CHC Scotia of Scotland. It would be impossible to give a time frame but when I have a successful tender, I intend to enter into negotiations with that company on the basis of what facilities could be afforded in the interim. As Deputy Shatter will be aware from his own experience, there are no aircraft lying idle waiting to be purchased. An aircraft is prescribed and then built to meet the requirements of the country's air corps or defence force. It is important that we try to find a way to bridge some of the gap but I can only do that when I am dealing with the company which has won the tender. I want to see what interim measures could be introduced to help the training because we would not make these funds available unless we accept, as we all do here, that there is a real need to upgrade the aircraft.
I am trying to achieve in this area of equipment, both for the Naval Service and for the Defence Forces, what has been achieved across the Defences Forces generally in the areas of recruitment and of accommodation. We want to achieve a rising equipment graph—
I remind the Minister that there is a one minute time limit on replies.
—on an ongoing basis in order that we do not return to a position, where the graph dips for long periods and where we reach out to meet the requirements.
To revert to the first part of the question, does the Minister have a time frame for providing additional fixed wing training aircraft required? Does he have in mind interim proposals which will alleviate the current difficulties in that area, pending the purchase of new aircraft for use by the Air Corps?
At present we are trying to use facilities abroad as much as possible. It is not the most desirable solution but it is meeting the current need. I would like to be able to give the Deputy a time frame and I like to work to time frames, but until such time as a company wins the tender it would be wrong for me to be too specific. However, I am putting as much pressure as possible on everyone involved, first, in the case of purchasing aircraft this year where we will place a contract, and then with the military to get their proposals as to the ongoing requirements. I am doing so to ensure that, with the financial envelop available to me and the proceeds of sales of property I am proposing, the funds will be there to meet the purchase of equipment on that rising graph basis.
I welcome the statement by the Minister that we are seeking overseas training. I suggested this at Question Time previously. The exchange of views and the training will only do the pilots good.
Is there still a haemorrhaging of pilots leaving the Air Corps or what is the current position in that regard? Does the Minister see the advent of the purchase of the new aircraft and helicopters as a means of retaining the pilots due to the excitement which will be generated by the knowledge that these will be made available to the Defence Forces? Does he see that as a way of retaining some of the pilots who heretofore we lost to the private sector?
I accept that about a year and a half ago Deputy Wall suggested here that we use facilities abroad to train pilots. No doubt, accommodation, the environment and equipment are important factors in a person determining his or her ability to remain and develop a career, and we are improving those. There is a continual drain. The growth in civil aviation has been phenomenal. The opportunities in these areas are at a level and at a rate which do not make it easy for State organisations to compete. We have done the best we can in terms of introducing schemes to encourage pilots to remain in the Air Corps but it is a constant struggle and challenge. Undoubtedly the provision of better aircraft should be at least one instrument in helping to slow down that exodus.