Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 21 Jun 2001

Vol. 538 No. 5

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Michael Finucane

Question:

24 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the imminent delivery of the 40 Mowag armoured personnel carriers, it is common international military practice to validate newly developed doctrine on training, tactics and procedures for mechanised units prior to any operational deployment abroad where lives are at risk; when, the locations at which, and by whom the training, tactics and procedures will be validated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17649/01]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

26 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence if he or the military authorities have investigated unit or sub-unit conventional mechanised training abroad with the new Mowag armoured personnel carriers; the locations at which this training will be conducted; the way in which the Mowag armoured personnel carriers will be transported there; the estimated cost of this training; the logistical support which will be required for the armoured personnel carriers when training abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17647/01]

Paul Bradford

Question:

65 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Defence the locations at which the new armoured personnel carriers to be provided for the Defence Forces will carry out field training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17634/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

84 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if the military authorities have investigated unit or sub-unit conventional mechanised training abroad with the new Moway APCs; the locations at which this training will be conducted; the way in which the Mowag APCs will be transported there; the estimated cost of this training; the logistical support which will be required for the APCs when training abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17653/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

86 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the imminent delivery of the 40 Mowag armoured personnel carriers, it is common international military practice to validate newly developed doctrine on training, tactics and procedures for mechanised units prior to any operational deployment abroad where lives are at risk; when, the locations at which, and by whom the training, tactics and procedures will be validated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17655/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

98 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the locations at which the new armoured personnel carriers to be provided for the Defence Forces will carry out field training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17667/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 26, 65, 84, 86 and 98 together.

The issue of training within the Defence Forces is a matter for the military authorities.

The first six armoured personnel carriers, APCs, were delivered on 11 June 2001. The balance of 34 will be delivered at a rate of four to five per month from July 2001 to January 2002.

The armoured personnel carriers are being allotted to B Company, 3rd Infantry Battalion in the Defence Forces Training Centre in the Curragh Camp. The vehicles will initially remain with B Company to facilitate the development of APC doctrine and training.

It is standard military practice to validate newly developed doctrine on training tactics and procedures for mechanised units prior to any deployment abroad. The responsibility for doctrinal matters in relation to the APCs rests with the director of infantry. The locations to be used for the validation of the training are at his discretion.

The question of conventional mechanised training abroad with the new APCs is not being considered.