Written Answers. - Defence Forces Equipment.
Trevor Sargent
Question:
74
Mr. Sargent
asked the
Minister for Defence
the amount of new military equipment, weaponry and aircraft under order for the Defence Forces; and the other military purchases which are being considered in the aftermath of the attacks on the United States.
[24467/01]
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. In addition to the £180 million which has been invested on equipment since I was appointed Minister in 1997, the White Paper involves a new, unprecedented £250 million investment programme in equipment and infrastructure over the next decade. This year alone the provision is about £107 million. This programme will ensure that Ireland has a modern, sustainable defence organisation, with the depth and flexibility to respond to future demands.
Substantial programmes of investment are taking place in the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service and some examples are as follows.
A total of 17 of the new fleet of 40 Mowag armoured personnel carriers for the Army, costing in total £40 million, will have been delivered by the end of this month to the Curragh Camp. All 40 vehicles will be delivered by January-February of next year almost two years ahead of previous expectations. Negotiations will take place with Mowag this week with regard to the provision of an additional 20 APCs.
There has been significant investment on new vehicles for the Army with more than £6.5 million spent on specialist transport cargo vehicles – deployed to KFOR – and on new troop carrying vehicles such as 4x4's, and three quarter tonne trucks.
More than £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 a decision can be expected shortly.
The second new ship for the Naval Service,LE Niamh, which is a sister ship of LE Róisín was commissioned into the Naval Service last month. As with LE Róisín, the new ship cost more than £20 million and will be a tremendous asset to the Naval Service in carrying out its various roles.
The Defence Forces have available to them equipment for monitoring and protecting its members in dealing with the varying nuclear, biological and chemical threats identified from time to time. A programme for the purchase of nuclear, biological and chemical equipment is ongoing and whatever equipment deemed necessary is purchased to meet the changing requirements. The requirement for additional NBC equipment is kept under continuous review by the ordnance corps. The question of additional requirements arising from the events of 11 September is being examined by the ordnance corps and any proposals in this regard for new or additional NBC equipment will be dealt with expeditiously.
The Defence Forces hold a range of modern NBC equipment which meets their current requirements. In particular, there is approximately 1,800 nuclear, biological and chemical, NBC, suits available to the Defence Forces at present. An order for an additional 4,000 NBC suits was placed in July 2001 with a delivery date in December 2001-January 2002. In addition, there are approximately 13,500 respirators available to the Defence Forces at present. They also have 50 of the most technologically up to date chemical gas monitors and Defence Forces personnel are currently being trained on these.
