Eamon Gilmore
Question:79 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence when a decision will be made on the provision of light utility and medium lift helicopters for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17812/04]
View answerWednesday, 16 June 2004
Questions (46, 47, 48, 49)
Joe Sherlock
Question:85 Mr. Sherlock asked the Minister for Defence if the relevant notice for the tender competition for the acquisition of new helicopters for the Air Corps has yet been sent to the Official Journal of the European Communities; the procedure to be used in selecting the successful tender; when he expects the process to be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17824/04]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 79 and 85 together.
The procurement process for the acquisition of new helicopters for the Air Corps has commenced. Following discussions between senior officials in my Department and the military authorities, it has been decided that up to six helicopters will be acquired, two light utility helicopters primarily for Air Corps crew training purposes, and four larger utility helicopters, with the option of two further such helicopters for use in support of the Army and for other ancillary uses such as air ambulance. The new aircraft will replace the current fleet of Dauphin, Alouette and Gazelle aircraft.
The tender competition was advertised in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 29 May 2004. The closing date for the receipt of tenders is Friday, 23 July 2004.
The two light utility helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps primarily in the military pilot and air crew training role. Primary taskings for the helicopters will include pilot training, instructor training and instrument flight training.
The four utility helicopters will be operated by the Air Corps in a general purpose military operational and training role. They will not be dedicated for use by any particular element of the Defence Forces including the Army ranger wing. Primary taskings for the utility helicopter will include training and operations with special forces, security and aid to the civil power, military exercises, infantry interoperability training and limited troop transport. The helicopters will also be required to perform air ambulance, aid to the civil community and VIP transport tasks. On training, the utility helicopters will be involved in conversion training, winching and inland search-and-rescue training and night vision equipment development and operations. The use will therefore meet a wide spectrum of the Defence Forces' requirements.
The contract for the supply of the helicopters will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender applying the following award criteria which are listed in order of priority: functional characteristics, operational suitability and technical merit; maintenance, technical support and after sales service; tender prices; life cycle costs over 20 years; training packages offered; warranties offered; and delivery period.
Allowing for receipt of tenders, tender evaluation, presentations, test flights, visits to facilities and contract negotiations, I would expect to award the contract some time in the autumn. As the Deputy will appreciate, at this early stage in the process it is extremely difficult to be very precise about these matters. However, every effort will be made to ensure that the process moves along as quickly as possible to ensure that the new helicopters are available to the Air Corps at the earliest possible date.
The procurement of modern light utility helicopters will provide a significant boost to the Air Corps in available flying hours at reduced maintenance costs, compared with the existing aircraft in the Air Corps helicopter wing. It will also provide increased capability in the roles currently undertaken by the existing Air Corps light utility helicopters.
My decision to proceed with the tender competition was based on the recommendations contained in the report of the joint military and civil board, which examined the rotary wing requirements of the Air Corps. The report of the board also dealt with the procurement of medium lift helicopters for the search and rescue service in the longer term. However, as the Air Corps will no longer be providing that service, this part of the report will not be implemented.
Phil Hogan
Question:80 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Defence the number of aircraft in use within the Air Corps; the age of those craft; the planned future acquisitions for the Air Corps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17842/04]
View answer
Bernard J. Durkan
Question:114 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which it is intended to upgrade all the Air Corps aircraft; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18110/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 80 and 114 together.
There are a total of 40 aircraft in service with the Air Corps at present. There are 15 helicopters and 25 fixed-wing aircraft. The type and age of those aircraft are as follows.
|
Aircraft Type |
Number in service |
Age |
|
Helicopters |
||
|
Alouettes |
7 |
30 to 41 years |
|
Dauphins |
4 |
18 years |
|
Gazelle |
1 |
23 years |
|
S61 |
1 |
26 years |
|
Ecureuill |
1 |
7 years |
|
EC 135 |
1 |
2 years |
|
Fixed-wing |
||
|
GIV |
1 |
13 years |
|
Learjet |
1 |
6 months old |
|
Beechcraft |
1 |
24 years old |
|
CASA |
2 |
10 years old |
|
Pilatus |
7 |
Up to 2 months old |
|
Cessna |
5 |
32 years old |
|
Marchetti |
7 |
27 years old |
|
Defender |
1 |
7 years old |
Regarding the development of the Air Corps fleet, the main priority for the Air Corps has been the purchase of fixed-wing training aircraft. In that regard, I signed a contract on 16 January 2003 for the supply of eight turbo-propeller aircraft to replace the Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. Those aircraft will allow for the continued training of young cadets to the highest standards. The new aircraft is the Pilatus PC-9M, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft Limited, Switzerland. The cost of the eight aircraft is approximately €60 million. Seven aircraft have already been delivered, and the remaining aircraft is currently in Austria for a weapons certification programme. While those aircraft are being obtained primarily for pilot training, they will be capable of being armed and, as such, will have a limited defensive capability.
I have recently commenced the procurement process for the acquisition of new helicopters for the Air Corps and, in that regard, a tender notice was published in the Official Journal of the European Communities on 29 May with a closing date for response of Friday, 23 July. Up to six helicopters will be acquired, two light utility helicopters, primarily for Air Corps crew training purposes, and four larger utility helicopters, with an option for a further two such helicopters, for use in support of the Army and for other ancillary uses such as air ambulance. The new aircraft will replace the current fleet of Dauphin, Alouette and Gazelle aircraft. I have instructed my officials and the military authorities to give that procurement process top priority to ensure that a contract can be placed as early as possible.
Any further acquisitions or upgrades would be dependent on a review of needs and budgetary resources at any given time.