Bernard J. Durkan
Question:111 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces have ready access to anti-aircraft facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9221/03]
Written Answers - Defence Forces Equipment.
The Defence Forces possess a range of air defence assets including radars for detection and weapons systems.
With regard to radars, the Defence Forces have one Giraffe mobile air defence radar with a range of up to 40 kilometres and eight Flycatcher mobile air defence fire control radars with a range of 20 kilometres.
On air defence weapons, the Defence Forces have 24 Bofors L70 air defence guns. These weapons are controlled directly by the Flycatcher radars. They also have six Bofors RBS missile launchers for use with the Giraffe radar.
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:112 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which aircraft and military equipment has been or will be upgraded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9222/03]
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:119 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he has satisfied himself that current military equipment and hardware is up to international requirements with particular reference to the current unstable international situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9229/03]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 119 together.
The acquisition of new equipment for the Defence Forces has been a key focus for me since my appointment to the defence portfolio. Significant investment has taken place and I am satisfied that the Defence Forces are now well equipped for their day to day roles at home and overseas.
However, while much has been done both on the equipment and the infrastructure front, I am aware that more needs to be done. While expenditure programmes will now have to be prioritised due to the changed financial situation, I will ensure that a substantive re-equipment programme will still go ahead to enhance the efficiency, professionalism and safety of the Defence Forces.
One example is the position with regard to the acquisition of APCs for the Defence Forces. The original APC contract contained an option for the supply of up to 40 additional APCs by Mowag. This option has now been exercised albeit for a reduced number of APCs because of the changed financial situation. I signed a contract in December, 2002 for the provision by Mowag of 25 additional APCs. The contract value is in the region of €33.2 million including VAT. Deliveries will commence in March 2004 and are scheduled to be completed by September 2004. Payments under the contract will extend from December 2002 to September 2005 due to the budgetary situation. On delivery, the Defence Forces will have a total of 65 APCs.
There has been significant investment on new vehicles for the Defence Forces including specialist transport cargo vehicles and on new troop carrying vehicles and 0.75 ton trucks. More than €13 million has been expended on new tactical VHF radios for the Defence Forces in recent years. Ongoing programmes include the acquisition of additional night vision equipment and nuclear biological chemical, NBC, equipment.
The main priority for the Air Corps has been the purchase of fixed wing training aircraft. In that regard, I was delighted to sign a contract on 16 January 2003 for the supply of eight turbo propellor training aircraft to replace the Siai Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. The new aircraft is the Pilatus PC-9M, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland. The cost of the aircraft is approximately €60 million. Delivery of the aircraft will take place during 2004.