Cathal Crowe
Question:50. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he will provide details on the general age, condition and capacity of Ireland’s air defence equipment. [13311/22]
View answerThursday, 10 March 2022
Questions (50)
Written answers
The Defence Forces Equipment Development Plan (EDP) published in June 2020, completed through extensive joint civil-military work, provides a comprehensive list of planned equipment projects by means of a five-year rolling plan. The EDP builds on the intentions set out in the White Paper in relation to equipment acquisition, modernisation and upgrade and has been developed to ensure that the Defence Forces have the major equipment platforms, ancillary equipment and force protection equipment to carry out their important roles both at home and overseas.
The EDP sets out current priorities and plans taking account of available resources and in line with the policy approach in the White Paper on Defence. The EDP is based on a rigorous prioritised examination of the range of equipment requirements to deliver on roles and associated capabilities. Prioritisation must take account of the immediacy of any operational demand as well as planning, specification, procurement, production and delivery time-frames and relevant resourcing.
At any one time, there will be a balance of what is feasible within available funding and what is needed taking account of equipment life-cycles and the needs of on-going and contingent requirements. The overall priorities in the EDP remain under review as it is progressively implemented and taking account of funding availability. I am advised by the Military Authorities that the Defence Forces operate many different types of air defence equipment.
In relation to air-based capability, the Air Corps use surface search radar on the CASA 235 maritime patrol aircraft and all aircraft are fitted with a transponder and the automatic identification system (AIS) for identification and tracking. As outlined in the White Paper, the Air Corps's PC 9 aircraft provide a very limited air to air and air to ground capacity.
The programme for the supply of two C295 Maritime Patrol Aircraft is well underway with delivery of the aircraft expected in 2023. Alongside the recently acquired PC-12 aircraft some €276 million, including VAT, has been committed to the acquisition of all of these enhanced capabilities.
The Naval Service use maritime surface search radar and the Recognised Maritime Picture (RMP) systems for surveillance and tracking.
Existing capabilities available to the Army include radar systems such as the Giraffe Mk4 short-range air defence system and the RBS 70 Surface to Air Missile, which has been upgraded with BOLIDE missiles. Other capabilities include the Browning Heavy Machine Gun and the General Purpose Machine Gun which can be used in various roles including anti-aircraft. For operational security reasons, I am not in a position to outline further details of these equipment platforms held by the Defence Forces.
The Deputy will be aware that the Government established an independent Commission on the Defence Forces in December 2020. The Report of the Commission on the Defence Forces contains many detailed recommendations and there is a process underway to consider these recommendations in consultation with Ministerial colleagues. The intent is to revert to Government with a proposed response and a high-level action plan in advance of the summer recess. It would be inappropriate for me to pre-empt this deliberative process in advance of Government consideration.