Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 October 2017
34. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the training exercise which recently took place in Sweden and the outcomes from this training in respect of a new air defence system; the cost of the system; the threats against which this system is directed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44047/17]
View answerThe Defence Forces attended a live firing practice of the RBS 70 surface to air missile system in Karlskoga, Sweden in May 2017. The main purpose of the live firing shoot, which involved the firing of Defence Forces RBS 70 missiles, was to validate the training and capability of on island Ground Based Air Defence training.
These RBS 70 missiles cannot be test fired on island due to firing range restrictions. Participation in live firing practices adds to the Defence Forces capability in the area of Air Defence by practicing crews in live firing that is not possible to conduct at home.
The live firing practice also had associated benefits in providing a nucleus of experienced personnel that can be employed in operations and pass on the benefit of this experience in the training environment.
The RBS 70 Surface to Air Missile System constitutes the principal element of the Defence Forces Ground Based Air Defence capability. A major upgrade of the system was completed in 2016 to allow it to meet current and future capability requirements.
The upgrade, which was carried out by the original equipment manufacturer SAAB Dynamics AB, Sweden at a cost of €4.1m ex VAT will ensure that the system will remain as a state of the art Ground Based Air Defence System into the future.
The investment in the RBS 70 system is designed to counter threats in the air such as from unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft.
There are currently no plans to procure a new Ground Based Air Defence System for the Defence Forces. However, the White Paper on Defence 2015 sets out that the Army will continue to retain all-arms conventional military capabilities, and the principal aim over the period of the White Paper will be to replace and upgrade, as required, existing capabilities in order to retain a flexible response for a wide range of operational requirements both at home and overseas.
In the event of additional funding becoming available beyond that required to maintain existing capabilities, additional air defence capabilities, such as ground to air weapons systems and ground to air radar surveillance systems are among the priorities identified. In this regard, equipment priorities for the Defence Forces are being considered in the context of the lifetime of the White Paper on Defence as part of the capability development and equipment planning process.
I am satisfied that the current provisions, together with the courses of action in the White Paper, will continue to ensure that the Defence Forces is suitably equipped, in line with international best practice, to fulfil all roles assigned by Government.
