Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 18 Oct 2001

Vol. 542 No. 4

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.

Liz McManus

Question:

23 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Defence the progress made to date regarding the acquisition of new Piranha armoured personnel carriers for the Defence Forces; the number delivered; when the balance is expected to be delivered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24456/01]

Richard Bruton

Question:

50 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Defence when the additional 20 armoured personnel carriers will be available to the Defence Forces; and the position in this regard. [20989/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

88 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence when the additional 20 armoured personnel carriers will be available to the Defence Forces; and the position in this regard. [24700/01]

Alan Shatter

Question:

91 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence the remedial action taken concerning the two Piranha armoured personnel carriers delivered to the Defence Forces by a company (details supplied) in which cracks were discovered during a routine inspection by Army officers; if he has concerns that similar defects may arise in the remaining consignment of armoured personnel carriers; the discussions which have been undertaken with this company regarding this problem; the compensation which is to be paid arising out of these defects; and the inquiries which have been made with the Defence Forces of other countries to ascertain whether similar difficulties have arisen. [24703/01]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith):

I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 46, 50, 88 and 91 together.

Following a tender competition which was con ducted in strict compliance with Government procurement procedures, a contract was signed on 30 November 1999 for the supply by Mowag of Switzerland of 40 armoured personnel carriers, APCs, initial spares, special tools and training courses.

The 40 vehicles, known as Piranha 8 x 8s, are being manufactured as 34 troop carrier variants, four command variants, one recovery variant and one ambulance variant. The cost of the contract, which is spread over five years, is in the region of £40 million, including VAT.

The full production run on the APCs is well under way. A total of 17 APCs will have been delivered to the Curragh Camp by the end of this month. The balance of 23 APCs will be delivered by the end of January or beginning of February next year – almost two years ahead of previous expectations. Training of Defence Force personnel on the APCs has been continuing apace with a view to the first overseas deployment of the APCs to Eritrea with UNMEE.

In August 2001, the appearance of cracks in the hulls of three APCs was noticed in the Curragh Camp. The issue was dealt with as a warranty item under the guarantee given by Mowag under the contract. Detailed discussions took place between Mowag and the Department on the cracks and expert investigations were put in train to determine their exact cause. I am advised that these cracks are not entirely unusual because of the type of manufacturing process involved in the production of the steel hulls of the APCs.

As part of the investigations which are still ongoing, a range of remedial actions have been taken to deal with the issues raised as a result of the appearance of the cracks and the cracks on the three APCs are now being repaired. The repairs will not affect the integrity of the ballistic protection afforded by the APCs. An extended warranty has been agreed with Mowag to cover the Department against the possibility of the appearance of cracks in any of the 40 APCs to be delivered under the contract.

The questions of the supply of an additional 20 APCs has been raised with Mowag and detailed negotiations are due to commence with the company, tomorrow, Friday, 19 October 2001.

Question No. 24 answered with Question No. 11.